Sanibel & Captiva Halloween Fun Begins Today

Posted on October 26, 2018 by SanibelSusan

It’s another happy Sanibel Friday with islanders looking forward to a cool front arriving tonight, with morning temperatures expected to dip into the high 60’s. That should make it more comfortable for runners in tomorrow’s FISH 10K Race and the Halloween festivities beginning this weekend. fish 10K 2018

Island Events

14^th Annual Island Paws Howl-o-Ween Bash – today Fri Oct 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Over Easy Café Patio includes pet costume contest & fundraiser to benefit Captains for Clean Water.
10^th Annual 10K Race 4 FISH – Sat Oct 27, begins at 7:30 a.m. & ends at The Community House. I’m the Sanibel Square roadway volunteer, near the finish line. Give a wave if you are running!
Hallo-‘Tween Party & Costume Contest – Sat Oct 27 hosted by ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa: Crow’s Nest open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. with dinner 5-10 p.m., Gatlin 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Canoe & Kayak open for dinner 5 to 9:30 p.m.; Wakefield Room DJ/Dance Party 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wristbands $10 (21 and up after 10 p.m.)
Trunk or Treat at Sanibel Community Church – Wed Oct 31 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Center 4 Life Annual Trash & Treasures Sale – Sat Nov 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Island Seniors, 2401 Library Way.
Flip Flop Family Scavenger Hunt – Sat Nov 3 to benefit Sanibel Sea School scholarship program. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at Sanibel Congregational Church
Sanibel Blues & Jazz Festival – Sun Nov 4 in Bailey’s Backyard from 12 to 7 p.m. Tickets at Bailey’s General Store & https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sanibel-blues-jazz-festival-tickets-50608163379
37^th Annual Taste of The Islands – to benefit CROW, Sun Nov 11 at Sanibel Community Park from 12:30 to 5 p.m. www.crowclinic.org/articles/37th-taste-of-the-islands
The Launch – Sat Nov 17 Coastal Keepers fundraiser at The Community House from 6 to 10 p.m. More info & tickets at www.sancapcoastalkeepers.org/the-launch

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

The islands’ Association of Realtors® annual meeting last night included a report by President Dustyn Corace summarizing another good year for our healthy organization. Progress in the continued fight for better water quality and several fund-raising events for community charities were recognized, with contributors thanked for their help and participation. Congratulations to Realtors® George Kohlbrenner and Connie Walters, both elected to the incoming Board of Directors.

Our last benefit of the year called “Fall Into Christmas” for “Friends Who Care” followed the meeting with many unwrapped toys, gift cards, and cash donations collected for this wonderful organization. It’s founder, islander Tom Louwers provided a brief history. Beginning in the early 80’s when Sanibel law enforcement knew of a family in need of a hand-up, today, this charitable non-profit quietly helps island residents and employees cope with a range of small emergency needs. Through the year, it assists anonymously with such items as school supplies and gas cards, while over the holidays, particularly at Christmas it provides with holiday meals and presents from Santa delivering them directly to those in need. Funded by the generosity of islanders and organizations like the Association of Realtors®, every dollar collected goes directly to the people it serves.

2018-10-26 Fall Into Christmas

Some of the “Fall Into Christmas” elves and guests are shown above with Leslie Adams (center) who catered the yummy appetizers, while desserts shown were from Totally Baked on Sanibel). Service, libations, & decor were by the elves (chaired by Realtor Kelly Huguenin & Amanda Curran Corace) & Association staff. Tom Louwers with “Friends Who Care” is on the far right next to Association CEO, Bill Robinson.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

SanibelSusan Realty from Periwinkle Way It was quiet at our office this week and our open houses didn’t yield many lookers. Like our colleagues, we look forward to reverting to the weekly Thursday morning caravan schedule next week.

These Open Houses of new listings (Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon) will continue through “season” and are an island tradition.

The action posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service since last Friday follows a couple of news items below.

“Ding” Darling Wins America’s Best Restroom

This week, the refuge’s “Learning Lavatories” were voted American’s Best Restroom in Cintas Corporation’s nationwide contest. With nine other finalists, online votes were counted to select the country’s top-rated restroom. This contest is in its 17^th year and certainly is a unique way to feature a facility. To become a finalist, judging criteria includes cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality, and unique design elements. The refuge restrooms certainly led in several of those categories.

The Refuge restroom project was completed about a year ago and outside includes a mother and baby manatee sculpture (made of recycled bike tires) and floor-to-ceiling paintings depicting images of refuge wildlife. Inside, built to green standards, they feature an underwater motif with mangrove photo-tile murals and wildlife sculptures. Stall doors are wrapped in close-up professional photos of refuge birds, while educational teaser messages encourage visitors to learn more.

Ding bathroom

Positive Sea Turtle News

Though Southwest Florida water conditions late this summer generated plenty of negative news, it was a good season for sea turtles nesting on Sanibel/Captiva and their hatchlings. According to SCCF’s (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) Sea Turtle Program Coordinator and as reported today in the “Island Sun”: “This year’s nesting season was actually pretty good. We’ve had four record-breaking seasons in a row, and while we didn’t set any records this year, it was an above average season.”

Nesting season runs from mid-April until the end of October. According to 2018 statistics compiled by SCCF, a total of 721 sea turtle nests were laid in 2018, compared to a total of 871 laid during 2017. An estimated 38,579 hatchlings emerged from the nests and entered waters surrounding Sanibel and Captiva. “…hatchlings swim like crazy the first seven to 10 days of their lives before they start eating; they feed from the yolk sac, which gives them the energy to get far out into the gulf. In fact, FWC (Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission) says that hatchlings may be the lone glimmer of hope in an otherwise horrible red tide season.” The agency requests that if the public witnesses sick, distressed or dead wildlife, they should call FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 (press 7 for the operator).

Thanks to the many island sea turtle program volunteers and SCCF staff members who in addition to their daily beach patrols, which begin at dawn, collect trash and debris left on island beaches. For more information or to adopt a sea turtle next to to www.sccf.org/our-work/sea-turtles.

Average Mortgage Rates Edge Up – 30-year at 4.86%

Florida Realtors® on-line posted the below article yesterday (Oct 25) by The Associated Press:

“Long-term U.S. mortgage rates edged slightly higher this week amid continued anxiety in financial markets as interest rates rise.

“Home borrowing rates remain at their highest levels in more than seven years, with the key 30-year rate approaching 5%. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the rate on 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages ticked up to an average 4.86% this week from 4.85% last week. A year ago, it stood at 3.94%.

“The average rate on 15-year, fixed-rate loans rose to 4.29% this week from 4.26% last week.

“Anxiety over rising interest rates, which stem from strength in the economy, has buffeted financial markets in recent weeks and spilled over into the housing market.

“Stocks have swooned over the last three weeks as investors worried about interest rates, as well as trade tensions between the U.S. and China, and slowing economies outside the U.S. As of Wednesday, the S&P 500 index had plunged 9.4% in just three weeks, with two separate six-day losing streaks. It hasn’t had a streak of losses that long since November 2016.

“The combination of higher borrowing costs and increasing home prices has made homeownership less affordable.

“Sales of new U.S. homes plunged 5.5% in September, the fourth straight monthly drop as the housing market cools, the government reported Wednesday. The annual rate of home sales has dropped 15.3% since May, eliminating much of the strength in sales from the first five months of 2018.

“Builders had assumed that a stronger economy would boost sales, yet a greater share of new construction is going un-purchased.

“Interest rates on Treasury bonds, which have climbed to seven-year highs in recent weeks, were steady this week. The yield on the key 10-year Treasury note, which can influence mortgage rates, was at 3.14% Wednesday, down from 3.15% last week.

To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country between Monday and Wednesday each week.

“The average doesn’t include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. The average fee on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages was unchanged from last week at 0.5 point. The fee on 15-year mortgages also held steady, at 0.4 point.

“The average rate for five-year adjustable-rate mortgages rose to 4.14% from 4.10% last week. The fee remained at 0.3 point.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Oct 19-26, 2018

Sanibel

CONDOS

7 new listings: Tennisplace #C23 2/1.5 $339K, Blind Pass #G201 2/2 $479K, Mariner Pointe #842 2/2 $650K, Sand Pointe #228 2/2 $749K, Sand Pointe #117 2/2 $799K, Sunset South #5D 2/2 $1.189M, Cyprina Beach #1 3/2.5 $1.795M.

3 price changes: Sundial West #D304 1/1 now $399K, Island Beach Club #320F 2/2 now $747.5K, Compass Point #183 now 2/2 now $1.25M.

2 new sales: Seashells #43 2/2 listed at $329K, Cottage Colony West #132 1/1 listed at $634.9K.

2 closed sales: Pointe Santo #C34 1/1 $450K, Snug Harbor #121 3/2 $1.099M.

HOMES

4 new listings: 401 Raintree Pl 3/1.5 $549K, 223 Southwinds Dr 3/2 $699K, 498 Surf Sound Ct 3/3 $885K, 2385 Wulfert Rd 4/5 $1.399M.

7 price changes: 531 Piedmont Rd 3/2 now $449.5K, 1325 Par View Dr 3/3 now $675K, 707 Cardium St 3/2 now $849K, 1747 Jewel Box Dr 3/2 now $1.049M, 1433 Sanderling Cir 4/3 now $1.089M, 1426 Causey Ct 3/2.5 now $1.099M, 599 Lake Murex Cir 3/3.5 now $1.675M.

4 new sales: 1717 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/2 listed at $420K, 1236 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 listed at $565K, 256 Daniel Dr 3/2 listed at $799K, 1035 S Yachtsman Dr 5/4.5 listed at $999K.

5 closed sales: 4542 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $410K, 976 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 half-duplex listed at $715K, 1521 Wilton Ln 3/2 listed at $690K, 1043 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $715K, 1528 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/3 $1.6M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 978 Main St listed at $179.9K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Beach Cottages #1407 2/2 $1.12M.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: with contingencies: 11525 Chapin Ln 4/4 listed at $1.499M.

1 closed sale: 14860 Mango Ct 5/4 $1,698,500.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

This representation is based in part on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.

Until next Friday, remember at SanibelSusan Realty, it’s all about treats – no tricks here! Happy Halloween!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Island October = Great Shelling, Snowbirds Returning, Calendars Filling Up

Posted on October 12, 2018 by SanibelSusan

shells a bunch

It has been another interesting week on Sanibel Island.

West Wind Michael Extra high tides and winds from Hurricane Michael passing west of the islands on Tuesday made for some big waves and minor flooding in a few locations.

(Pictures taken Tues afternoon. First a beach path at West Wind Inn.

2nd is Dixie Beach Blvd looking from Royal Poinciana to the bay.)

Like with most summer showers, the water disbursed quickly and now beachgoers are enjoying good shelling.

Boating, however, is discouraged until this weekend when the winds are expected to die down.

Concerning red tide, the daily status reports posted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission show that samples on the west coast of Florida are pretty much free of red tide. No evidence at all now on Sanibel and Captiva. That is a huge relief! We sure hope it stays that way.

An area around St Petersburg/Tampa still shows medium to high readings. On Florida’s East Coast, there are low red tide readings reported from Miami north through Boca Raton, the Palm Beaches, and Port St. Lucie. Today, there also were a few low readings just off the coast of Key West. Here’s the link, if you want to see for yourself: http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/

Florida Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund

As the team and I watched the news unfold of the damage from Hurricane Michael, Florida Realtors® sent reminders out about the Florida Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund which is available to Realtors®, including their real estate employees, Realtor® Boards and Associations and their staff in the event of devastation caused by a hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster. Florida Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund, just a few weeks ago, after Hurricane Florence made a $25K donation to the National Realtors® Relief Foundation which similarly helps colleagues throughout the U.S. Our hearts are with disaster victims as they recover.

2018 Water Resources Development Act

Good news on Wednesday when the U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan, comprehensive water resources infrastructure legislation-in the federal water bill-that authorizes the EAA Reservoir! The President signed it yesterday.

This 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Bill moves forward a critical and fundamental Everglades restoration and estuaries enhancement project that will enable excess water to be directed south out of Lake Okeechobee instead of west and east to the Caloosahatchee and St Lucie rivers and estuaries. The project is designed to move water from Lake Okeechobee through 6,500 acres of filter marshes to clean the water and store it in a 10,500-acre reservoir. The reservoir is estimated to cost about $1.3 billion, which will be split evenly between the federal government and the state.

The bill also directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement a five-year harmful algal bloom technology development program to identify and develop improved strategies for prevention and management techniques, early detection and procedures to reduce harmful algal blooms.

This is a great step forward, but we all must stay attuned to the new Florida administration and getting the project started. You can be sure that your local Realtors® and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation will stay “on it”.

Member of Realtor® Family Makes Movie Premier

Buttons the movie Like many Florida Realtors® colleagues, I have watched the progress of our state President, Christine Hanson’s granddaughter Noelle Parker as she has evolved over the last few years from a photogenic toddler to becoming a child actress. Like her grandmother, Nicolle’s Mom is a Realtor® too. Noelle was an adorable speaker at Christine’s installation in January.

This week, Noelle’s Realtor® family announced that she is making her movie debut in the release of “Buttons” which is a new Tim Janis musical fairy tale film on a journey to discover that sometimes believing can be the greatest adventure of all. During a time of robber barons, mills, and rising industry, two orphaned children meet two unexpected visitors (Dick Van Dyke and Angela Lansbury) who turn the tide of events and change their lives forever. Narrated by Robert Redford and Kate Winslet, the film also features some other big names including Jane Seymour and Roma Downey, plus a new song by “Nova” written by Sir Paul McCartney. Advance tickets go on sale today, with the movie premiering in theaters on December 8. Noelle is the little blonde girl dressed in white under the pix of Dick Van Dyke in their trailer photo (https://www.buttonsthemovie.com )

Plus a Young Local Talent on Broadway – Liam Hutt

Many islanders patronize La-Te-Da Salon and Spa on Cypress Lake Dr in Fort Myers. Both Elise and I get our hair cut there. The owners’ son, Liam Hutt, who we have followed since he was born, also is an amazing young talent, often seen singing, dancing, and acting in local and state theatrical productions. Yesterday, they announced that he will be joining the Broadway cast of “Elf” on their national traveling tour, from Nov 7 to Dec 30. Performing from state-to-state from one side of the country to the other, their performance schedule is staggering. Maybe he’ll be in your area. – https://elfthemusicaltour.com

Island Events

The roadways are getting busier and island activities are beginning. Rehearsals start next week for the BIG ARTS Community Chorus. There are just nine rehearsals this session (from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tues nights in Phillips Gallery). All ages and singing abilities welcome. Performances this session include the island Thanksgiving Celebration on Sun, Nov 18; caroling for Luminary on Fri, Dec 7; and our holiday concert on Wed Dec 12 in Schein Performance Hall.

International Coastal Cleanup – tomorrow Sat Oct 13 from 9 a.m. to noon. After being postponed for a month due to red tide, the islands’ cleanup is coordinated by Keep Lee County Beautiful and hosted by the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Check-in will be set up on Island B, closest to Sanibel. Participants should register at www.klcb.org/coastal-cleanup.html.

30^th Annual “Ding” Darling Days –today through Sun Oct 14. Today is Free “Let’s Get Outside Day”, Sat is FREE “Conservation Art Day”, & Sun is FREE “Family Fun Day”. More info at www.DingDarlingDays.com

4^th Annual Pigs In Paradise Roast– Sat Oct 20, hosted & to benefit Children’s Education Center of the Islands (CECI) at the preschool (350 Casa Ybel Rd) from 4 to 7 p.m. The school opened in 1974 & is a nonprofit parent co-op that serves families who live or work on Sanibel and Captiva. It is open to children ages 12 months to 5 years.

33^rd Annual BaileyFest – Sun Oct 21 in Bailey’s Shopping Center from noon to 4-p.m.

14^th Annual Island Paws Howl-o-Ween Bash – Fri Oct 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Over Easy Café Patio includes pet costume contest & fundraiser to benefit Captains for Clean Water.

10^th Annual 10K Race 4 FISH – Sat Oct 27, begins & ends early at The Community House.

Flip Flop Family Scavenger Hunt – Sat Nov 3 to benefit Sanibel Sea School scholarship program. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at Sanibel Congregational Church

Sanibel Blues & Jazz Festival– Sun Nov 4 in Bailey’s Backyard from 12 to 7 p.m. Tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sanibel-blues-jazz-festival-tickets-50608163379

37^th Annual Taste of The Islands – Sun Nov 11 at Sanibel Community Park from 12:30 to 5 p.m. www.crowclinic.org/articles/37th-taste-of-the-islands

The Launch – Sat Nov 17 Coastal Keepers fundraiser at The Community House from 6 to 10 p.m. More info & tickets at www.sancapcoastalkeepers.org/the-launch

Island Real Estate News

It was another quiet week for Sanibel/Captiva real estate business. This is the off-week with Realtor® Caravan and not much activity was posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service. The action since last Friday is below.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Oct 5-12, 2018

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Tennisplace #B22 2/1.5 $299K, Sunset South #6B 2/2 $599K, Sandpiper Beach #203 2/2 $720K, Loggerhead Cay #573 2/2 $729K.

4 price changes: Seashells #43 2/2 now $329K, Blind Pass #E205 2/2.5 now $405K, Pointe Santo #C34 1/1 now $475K, Sunset South #6D 2/2 now $649K (our listing).

Sunset South – from river to gulf with clubhouse & pool overlooking courtyard.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Pointe Santo #B21 2/2 $675K.

HOMES

6 new listings: 1236 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 $565K, 1332 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $620K, 4619 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2 $640K, 1286 Par View Dr 3/3 $969K, 2251 Starfish Ln 4/3.5 $1.549M, 2915 Wulfert Rd 5/6.5 $3.195M.

6 price changes: 1717 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/2 now $420K, 849 Beach Rd 4/4 now $595K, 3050 West Gulf Dr 3/2.5 now $879K, 1676 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2 now $899K, 5606 Baltusrol Ct 4/6 now $1.995M, 3009 Turtle Gait Ln 4/4.5 now $2.995M.

4 new sales: 4542 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 listed at $479K, 1643 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 listed at $528.5K, 3837 Coquina Dr 2/2 listed at $665K, 718 Oliva St 3/2 listed at $789K.

2 closed sales: 4239 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $667.5K, 2029 Periwinkle Way 4/3 $1.6M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 1817 Longpoint Ln $348.5K.

2 price changes: 4566 Buck Key Rd now $149K, 2486 Wulfert Rd now $159K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 1246 Sand Castle Rd $275K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings

1 price change: Bayside Villas #5136 1/2 now $379,999.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16163 Captiva Dr 3/2 $2.695M.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: 15735 Captiva Dr 4/5 $6M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Sanibel/Captiva Real Estate Nitty Gritty

Posted on June 1, 2018 by SanibelSusan

It’s Susan, reporting another Friday and another beautiful one on sunny Sanibel Island. Following a somewhat blustery rainy Memorial Day weekend, the last few days progressed with only a few showers. Chance of rain is now down to only 10-20%, with daytime temperatures in the low 80’s – pretty nice by island standards.

sunset carinteriordesign (Of course, as soon as I was ready to push the “publish” button on this post, it starting raining. It’s about 3:30 p.m. and looks to be just a quick shower! Maybe with some lingering clouds there will be another one of these gorgeous sunsets tonight.)

The action this week in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service follows a few news items below. It’s quiet now on-island, but even so Sanibel had six new sales (two condos, four homes). No sales on Captiva.

With today being the first day of hurricane season, it’s a good time to buy – properties generally are easier to view than during the busy winter months and sometimes sellers more negotiable. Inventory remains low, however, so if you want a particular property type or community or have special requirements, it pays to have someone on the lookout for you. Realtors® here often get a heads-up before a new listing hits the market – the beauty of living and working on a small island – and The SanibelSusan Team has good radar!

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Communications & Public Relations Committee Meeting at our Wednesday morning meeting, the Committee finalized plans for some summer community and fundraising projects:

FISH of Sanibel-Captiva – As our spring food drive for non-perishable items wrapped up, items collected were delivered yesterday to the food pantry.
Sanibel Heritage Trail – Within the next month, now that the rainy season has begun, and with help from SCCF’s Native Plant Nursery, Realtors® hope to add plants to stops along the recently completed Heritage Trail. Funds are already raised and earmarked.
Meals of Hope – The Association is hosting another meal-packing event on Tuesday, July 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Sanibel Community Church. Last summer, we packed over 20,000 meals in less than 2 hours. We hope to pack another 20,000. First, we need to raise $5,000 to cover the food cost. The Association is collecting donations (checks made out to Meals of Hope) and looking for volunteers to help pack during the 2-hour event. Neighbors, family, friends, and children needing community service credits are welcome. Call your Realtor® or the Association (472-9353) for more info. More about the mission of Meals of Hope is at www.mealsofhope.org.
Bedz for Kidz – In August, we will be collecting twin and crib bed sheets and children’s luggage/backpacks for this local charity that provides beds and bedding for children as part of the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of the 20^th Judicial Circuit “Voices for Kids”.
ACT (Abuse, Counseling, & Treatment Center) – In September/October, we are collecting pillows and fresh linens for this Fort Myers facility.

Thursday Realtor® Caravan at yesterday’s Caravan Meeting, only two new sales were announced and just three properties were open for Realtor® Caravan. The meeting was well attended though, with plenty of announcements about educational opportunities this summer and a final financial report from our recent End-of-Season Golf Outing & Auction to benefit water quality.

Association Affiliate and event Chairman, David Arter announced that the event raised more than $14K which will be presented soon to the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF).

RPAC raffle tickets also were sold at the event. These sales helped the Association again surpass their annual national goal. (RPAC stands for Realtor Political government_affairs_rpac_logo_home Action Committee. RPAC was created in 1969 and raises funds voluntarily from members of local Associations for use in issues, campaigns and contributions to political candidates at federal, state and local levels. RPAC funds have been used here for a variety of issues affecting island real estate and property rights (including water quality, redevelopment, flood insurance, etc.))

Historical Village To Hold Free Admission Day

Touring-the-Sanibel-Historical-Village-Museum As reported this week in the “Santiva Chronicle”: “The Sanibel Historical Village will offer free admission for all visitors on Saturday, June 16, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

““We decided to hold Free Admission Days because sometimes Sanibel residents tell us they have never been to the village,” said Executive Director Emilie Alfino. “I suppose it’s the same syndrome that causes New Yorkers to ignore the Empire State Building! With our mission to share and celebrate Sanibel’s history, we wanted to do something to entice more people to explore the village. Once they do, we know they’ll love it and return many times and bring family and friends.”

“The free day is not aimed at just locals but is open to all visitors.

“The Sanibel Historical Museum & Village tells the story of Sanibel from the Calusa and Spanish eras to the early pioneer families who settled on the island in the 1800s. It tells of warriors, adventurers, fishermen, farmers and proprietors. The island’s way of life is recreated in a village of nine structures that have been relocated from their original sites, restored and preserved. Visitors trace the footsteps of the island’s past as they meander along a handicapped-accessible path lined with buildings that represent “old Sanibel,” as Sam Bailey used to say. Visitors can tour a pioneer home, fishing cottage, post office, schoolhouse, tea room, general store, and more.

“Learn more at the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A full guided tour takes place at 10:30 a.m. at no additional charge, depending on the availability of a docent. The museum closes for the summer on August 1 and re-opens October 16.”

Floridians’ Outlook Improves – Second Month in a Row

As posted on-line Wednesday at FloridaRealtors®, sourced to Gainesville:

“Consumer sentiment among Floridians increased 2.6 points in May to 100.6 – an increase from a revised figure of 98 in April. Among the five components that make up the index, three increased and two decreased. It’s the second reading over 100 since March 2002, the first being January of this year….

“Overall, Floridians are more optimistic, and the gain in May’s confidence came mainly from consumers’ future expectations about the national economy in the medium- and long-run. Notably, these expectations are shared by all Floridians regardless of their age or socioeconomic status,” Sandoval said. (Hector H. Sandoval is director of the Economic Analysis Program at University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research.)

“Economic activity in Florida continues to expand with more jobs added every month. In April, 178,400 more jobs were added statewide compared with a year ago, an increase of 2.1%. Among all industries, professional and business services gained the most jobs, followed by construction, leisure and hospitality, and education and health services.

“The Florida unemployment rate has remained unchanged at 3.9% for the past eight months. Furthermore, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, real gross domestic product in Florida increased 3.7% in the fourth quarter of 2017. The real estate and rental and leasing industry and the construction industry contributed the most to the increase.

“”Despite the ups and downs, consumer sentiment has been very favorable over the year and has remained quite stable since the beginning of 2018. Looking forward, we anticipate consumer sentiment to remain high in the months to come,” Sandoval says.”

Update on Bailey Tract Closing

Refuge Manager, Paul Tritaik issued the following press release this week: “J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will be closing the Bailey Tract for four to six weeks starting the afternoon of Sunday, June 3, 2018. This closure is for a planned hydrologic restoration project, in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), commencing in the morning of Monday, June 4, 2018. To avoid public safety concerns, the Bailey Tract will be closed to all public access for the duration of the restoration project…. This restoration is intended to enhance the hydrology of a portion of the Bailey Tract to benefit a suite of species dependent on the historic cordgrass marsh habitat of Sanibel Island. The restoration will partly restore the hydrology of the affected area by helping to increase groundwater levels, improve surface water capacity, extend the hydroperiod of the marsh, and ultimately restore the freshwater marsh habitat in the affected area.”

Summer/Fall Shell Shows For Travelers

odd shell As a member of the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club, I recently got an email which included info on a variety of upcoming shell shows. If you are traveling to any of these locations this summer, you may want to add a show to your itinerary – or plan a trip around a show. (If you’d like more contact info for any of the events, let me know, and I’ll send you the details.)

Shanghai Shell Show, Shanghail, China – July 27-29
Chatsworth Shell Fayre, Derbyshire, UK – August 18
3^rd West Coast Shell Show, San Diego, CA – August 25 & 26
Conchologists of America Annual Convention, San Digeo, CA – August 30 to September 3
Oregon Shell Show, Salem, OR – August 24 to September 4
Annual German Shell Fair – Oehringen, Germany – September 22 & 23
North Carolina Shell Show, Wilmington, NC – September 28 to 30
XXIII Prague International Shell Show, Prague, Czech Republic, October 20 & 21
British Shell Collector’s Club Convention, Essex, England – October 27
Sydney Shell Show, Sydney, Australia – October 27
Philadelphia Shell Show, Philadelphia, PA – October 27 & 28.

*Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 25 to June 1, 2018***

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Tennisplace #D31 1/1 $229K, Pointe Santo #C34 1/1 $560K.

3 price changes: Island Beach Club #320F 2/2 now $799K, Sundial West #E104 2/2 now $875K, Pointe Santo #E23 2/2 now $950K.

2 new sales: Spanish Cay #D4 2/2 listed at $399K, Sanibel Moorings #1312 2/2 listed at $549K.

2 closed sales: Sanibel Arms #D4 2/2 $525K, Sunset South #7C 2/2 $525K.

HOMES

No new listings.

11 price changes: 1717 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/2 now $445K; 1027 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 now $499K; 3784 Coquina Dr 3/3 now $579,975; 1190 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $595K; 5280 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 now $798.9K; 9028 Mockingbird Dr 4/3 now $799K; 9027 Mockingbird Dr 4/3 now $849K; 2480 Library Way 3/2.5 now $875K; 1349 Eagle Run Dr 3/2.5 now $1.095M; 534 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 now $1.238M; 2029 Periwinkle Way 4/3 now $1.69M.

4 new sales: 736 Cardium St 3/2 listed at $439K, 1224 Kittiwake Cir 3/2 listed at $749.9K, 1183 Kittiwake Cir 3/2 listed at $768.9K, 1552 San Carlos Bay Dr 4/5.5 listed at $2.199M.

4 closed sales: 1621 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 half-duplex $557K, 5299 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/3 $624K, 727 Birdie View Pt 3/2 $774K, 3320 Saint Kilda Rd 4/2.5 $1M.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 2401 Blue Crab Ct $575K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings

2 price changes: Ventura Captiva #2A 3/3 now $919K, Sunset Captiva #204 2/2 now $1.149M.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 11525 Chapin Ln 4/4 now $1.499M.

No new or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Photo by Jim Szabo, SanCap Aerials, & borrowed from the City’s website. Taken May 19, 2018 before the islands’ surrounding waters were stirred up from recent rains. Lake “O” water releases are expected to begin soon, if not today. They are just part of the summer routine here. See more info & photos at www.mySanibel.com

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Gulf/Bay Waters & 1st Quarter Real Estate Stats

Posted on April 6, 2018 by SanibelSusan

SusanSusan here reporting the end of another week of gorgeous weather with the island thinning out a little as snowbirds continue to depart and “season” activities wrap up. Many locals and visitors have noticed this week that the water around the islands is beautiful, both gulf and bay side – a brilliant clear teal blue. Seeing the water like that in the spring makes one wish the summer rainy season would stay away, but it’s an inevitable part of the Florida weather cycle.

Beach

In another few weeks, regular afternoon showers will begin with the first of the afternoon puffy popcorn-like clouds already appearing occasionally, though mostly inland.

chateau 8 07-17

Sanibel/Captiva Real Estate

Now that first quarter is over, I always like to compare the activity from one year to the next to confirm that what the market seems to be indicating is true. Below is this year’s real estate action, compared to 2016 and 2017:

	Sold/Closed Sales 1^st Quarter
	2016			2017			2018
	#	Avg Sale Price $	Avg DOM	#	Avg Sale Price $	Avg DOM	#	Avg Sale Price $	Avg DOM
SANIBEL
Condos	38	709,628	190	32	732,686	219	34	765,668	118
Homes	44	966,872	191	58	1,047,638	138	63	1,263,989	160
Lots	6	365,333	269	11	389,074	354	3	247,333	238
CAPTIVA
Condos	4	831,125	285	10	432,600	214	11	911,783	190
Homes	8	4,096,250	309	6	2,161,667	116	9	2,462,500	169
Lots	1	1,549,000	386	1	1,925,000	294	0	N/A	N/A

DOM = days on market

On Sanibel, closings indicate that homes continue to be the predominate product, with both condo and home prices on the rise. With the winter months being when the most high-end buyers are on island, it makes sense that larger more-luxurious more-expensive properties sell then.

This year, it may be surprising to see the jump in the number of closings that are posted this month and in May, since sales activity didn’t pick up until later than usual this year. Perhaps that’s related to the stock market, new tax laws, or something else. Those in the real estate business are happy that it did improve, now we hope that it doesn’t trickle off with folks leaving.

As a listing agent, an important consideration always is remaining inventory or the competition. It can provide insight into how long it may take for listings to sell, particularly at this time of the year when the next wave of prospective buyers is expected to be those who may think they can get a great deal buying post-season and before hurricane season. The below table shows the same details as the table above, but this one shows the properties currently for sale and under contract, on both Sanibel & Captiva.

	Inventory as of April 6, 2018
	Under Contract Without Contingencies, Awaiting Closing			Under Contract With Contingencies			Available For Sale
	#	Avg Asking Price $	Avg DOM	#	Avg Asking Price $	Avg DOM	#	Avg Asking Price $	Avg DOM
SANIBEL
Condos	5	1,056,100	85	25	759,076	193	104	804,055	181
Homes	19	2,016,526	125	37	1,100,088	109	192	1,431,145	168
Lots	1	239,800	278	1	59,000	413	67	646,683	363
CAPTIVA
Condos	1	2,095,000	182	0	N/A	N/A	38	1,414,843	199
Homes	0	N/A	N/A	3	2,696,000	418	47	3,209,702	249
Lots	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A	3	4,264,667	117

Again, the data confirms that Sanibel homes are the hot commodity and indicates that it is the pricier larger ones that are moving. Many of us have buyers just waiting for the right gulf-front pool home. There haven’t been many of those for sale. Not of enough of those exist on Sanibel, which probably is what has caused the bay-front pool home market to get lots of action in the last few weeks. With 192 Sanibel homes for sale, 63 closing first quarter, and another 56 under contract, there still are a lot of homes for sale – probably better than a year’s worth of inventory in my estimation.

With Sanibel condos having 34 sales first quarter and another 30 under contract, seeing 104 on the market, probably means that’s close to a year’s worth of inventory too. I bet we see fewer condo sales than we usually do this summer, but I hope I’m wrong.

The time to move island lots and Captiva properties are tough to guess-timate because those markets are so small, specialized, and varying in price. Captiva condo statistics can be skewed too, because the 33 gulf-front Beach Home properties (priced as high as $4+million) and 68 units Land’s End Village units within South Seas Resort are home-like but are in condo associations.

So, our hopes are that brisk sales continue. Many of our winter listings have sold or are under contract, so we are looking for new listings and working hard to get our remaining listings sold. Our focus shifts to getting showings at the properties that could not be viewed “in season” due to paying guests and promoting them to agents who have not shown them, as well as reminding those who have shown previously that they still are available.

Teammate Dave held several Open Houses this week, unfortunately with little traffic, probably because of the beautiful weather. The action posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service this week follows a couple of news items below.

Leaving LIBOR, Say Hello to SOFR

An interesting article was posted on-line by the “Miami Herald” last Friday, March 30, 2018. It’s by Tom Hudson who hosts “The Sunshine Economy” on WLRN-FM; @HudsonsView.

“If you have a home equity line of credit, private student loan, commercial mortgage or business loan, your payment may be tied to LIBOR. The London Interbank Offered Rate serves as the starting point for figuring out how much borrowers owe. But the interest rate underpinning trillions of dollars of loans will be changing.

“In the week ahead, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York begins publishing the SOFR. The Secured Overnight Financing Rate aims to be more reliable and less contrived. It also begins a new chapter in the massive move away from LIBOR and its lock as a fundamental price of borrowed funds.

“Deep inside most variable interest rate loan documents is LIBOR. Since the 1980s, lenders have leaned on LIBOR as the gauge to set other market interest rates. As LIBOR moves, so moves repayment costs. But it is an imperfect reflection of the cost of cash.

“LIBOR isn’t based on actual borrowing. It is a daily poll of banks, asking them what they think would be the cost to borrow from each other without using any collateral. Those are unsecured loans, and fewer banks are conducting business like that. So, the poll has become less accurate. And since it’s a survey of expected costs, not actual costs, the poll is vulnerable to manipulation. A dozen banks have paid billions of dollars in fines for rigging LIBOR rates.

“LIBOR lied. The benchmark is broken.

“Over the past four years a group of bankers, financiers and American regulators have been working toward a new reference rate. That rate, the SOFR, makes its debut Tuesday morning. It differs from LIBOR in two significant ways; It will be based on actual lending rates between banks, and it will be based on loans using US Treasuries as collateral — a more common practice than LIBOR’s unsecured loans.

“The introduction of what may become the new benchmark is far from complete. Whereas LIBOR rates include different durations ranging from overnight loans to those lasting one year, the SOFR is solely short-term money — one day.

“New variable interest rate loans likely will include references to SOFR as the new standard. Other loans may include fallback language allowing them to swap the old benchmark for a new one.

“This may seem like an arcane action by the financial industrial complex, but with trillions of dollars of consumer and business loans tethered to LIBOR, a smooth and orderly transition to a new interest rate benchmark is vital for the American economy.”

Is A Seller’s Disclosure Required?

Having served on the state Contract and Forms Content Committees many times, I often find that I can be too close to this question. The following article was posted on-line this week by Attorney Joel Maxson who is Director of Member Legal Services at Florida Realtors®. Joel also manages the Realtors’ Legal Hotline.

Florida is a full-disclosure state, but I have found that often when a property is not the primary residence of the seller or is a rental investment property, the seller does not always know of the property defects. Here is Joel’s posting from April 2, 2018:

“Based on what we hear on Florida Realtors Legal Hotline, most residential sellers are content to complete the Florida Realtors Seller’s Property Disclosure – Residential form (SPDR) around the same time they enter into a listing agreement. However, every now and then, a seller will balk at the idea of completing this form, prompting a member to ask what Florida law requires regarding disclosures.

“Although sellers aren’t required to complete this specific SPDR form, a residential seller does have to comply with the rule established in Johnson v. Davis. In that case, the Florida Supreme Court held that “where the seller of a home knows of facts materially affecting the value of the property which are not readily observable and are not known to the buyer, the seller is under a duty to disclose them to the buyer.” These material facts are sometimes referred to as latent defects.

“In addition, in Rayner vs. Wise Realty Co. of Tallahassee, the First District Court of Appeal provided that this same disclosure requirement applies to residential properties that are being sold as is.

“Sellers can make this disclosure in writing or verbally, although Florida Realtors attorneys recommend that it be made in writing.

“Realtors should note that the SPDR contains safeguards to ensure the seller completes the form – not the associate or broker. As a reminder to all parties, the first line of the SPDR provides “Notice to Licensee and Seller: Only the Seller should fill out this form.”

“As a separate but related issue, some brokerage companies may require that certain documents (like a seller’s property disclosure) be maintained in a file, so associates should always ensure they understand and comply with any specific requirements their company may have.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity March 30 – April 6, 2018

Sanibel

CONDOS

12 new listings: Casa Blanca #2 2/1 $379K, Sundial #F205 1/1 $429K, Sanibel Arms #D4 2/2 $549K, Mariner Pointe #1052 2/2 $565K, Sanibel Siesta #306 2/2 $599.5K, Sunset South #6A 2/2 $619K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #2-5 2/2.5 $759K, Tarpon Beach #206 2/2 $799K, Sundial East #N403 2/2 $889.5K, Compass Point #102 3/2 $1.295M, Bougainvillea #B 3/3 $1.299M, Villas of Sanibel #A102 3/3 $1.495M.

3 price changes: Mariner Pointe #122 1/1 now $399K, Sanibel Moorings #941 2/2 now $524.9K, Gulfside Place #323 2/2 now $1.298M.

3 new sales: Loggerhead Cay #422 2/2 listed at $535K, Sunset South #7C 2/2 listed at $569.5K, Tamarind #B302 2/2 listed at $1.789M.

5 closed sales: Sanibel Moorings #212 1/1 $415K, Loggerhead Cay #264 2/2 $580K (our listing), Surfside 12 #A1 3/2 $790K, Sandpiper Beach #302 2/2 $835K, Gulfside Place #222 2/2 $1.05M (our sale).

Gulfside Place #222 view

HOMES

7 new listings: 1851 Farm Trl 3/2 $629K, 1339 Tahiti Dr 3/2 duplex $679K, 247 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 $939K, 641 Lake Murex Cir 4/3 $1.125M, 1349 Eagle Run Dr 3/2.5 $1.155M, 872 Limpet Dr 3/3 $1.849M, 1324 Seaspray Ln 3/3 $1.899M.

9 price changes: 317 East Gulf Dr 3/2 half-duplex now $565K; 3784 Coquina Dr 3/3 now $595,995; 1357 Tahiti Dr 2/3 duplex now $629K; 978 Black Skimmer Way 3/2 now $695K; 5410 Osprey Ct 3/2.5 now $749K; 1545 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 now $1.149M; 735 Sand Dollar Dr 3/3 now $1.279M; 1743 Venus Dr 4/3.5 now $1.629M; 411 Bella Vista Way 4/4 half-duplex now $2.075M.

8 new sales: 1004 Spanish Laurel Ln 2/2 listed at $598K, 1190 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed at $625K, 5307 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2.5 listed at $645K, 1020 White Ibis Dr 3/3 listed at $649K, 1450 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed at $749.9K, 852 Lindgren Blvd 4/3 listed at $1.159M, 1475 Angel Dr 3/4.5 listed at $1.549M, 1083 Bird Ln 4/2.5 listed at $3.999M.

6 closed sales: 3021 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 $485K, 1169 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $650K, 601 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 $659.9K, 4960 Joewood Dr 3/3 $975K, 940 Spoonbill Ct 3/2.5 $1M, 747 Windlass Way 4/3.5 $2.25M.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 1312 Eagle Run Dr $290K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

2 price changes: Lands End Village #1665 2/2 now $950K, Beach Homes #25 3/2 now $1.995M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Bayside Villas #5144 1/2 $370K.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 11559 Laika Ln 2/2 now $5.5M.

No new or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, enjoy your week…

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Sanibel’s Mini-Chill Is Like Heaven!

Posted on March 9, 2018 by SanibelSusan

View c Master Bedroom View Sanibel and Captiva had another touch of island-style winter yesterday with temperatures barely out of the 60’s, but with bright blue skies and a fairly stiff breeze. It has been more of the same is today, then expected to be back to the high 70’s tomorrow, until the next mini-chill arrives. This time of the year, temperature changes often are the residual effects from pre-spring storms in the northeast.

Yesterday at the islands’ Association of Realtors® morning caravan meeting, more sales were announced followed by comments like “the market was late in getting rolling this winter”. Often the most island sales activity is from mid-January to Easter, but for some reason, this year that action picked up late. With Easter early this year, March could quickly make up for lost time. The recent snowstorms probably will help.

With just three weeks of high season left, plenty of price reductions were announced at yesterday’s meeting too. The above photos are the views from our listing at Mariner Pointe #1061 (price just reduced to $549,900). (More info and streaming video under the “Search SanibelSusan Listings” tab above.)

Rumor has it that the first car transport recently was spotted, that’s usually a sign that the first group of snowbirds are about to take flight.

The action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news items below. The first was posted on line today at FloridaRealtors®. Their source is Copyright © 2018 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pat Mertz Esswein. Though lengthy, it’s worth the read.

What Will Happen With Home Prices This Year?

“New Jersey is the poster child for the high-cost, high-tax states where housing markets – and homeowners – are supposed to suffer under the new tax law. Patrice and Kalvin Sosoo, of Teaneck, N.J., have a toddler, Kingsley, and a baby on the way, so they’re in the market for a larger place. But the Sosoos aren’t deterred by the new rules, even though housing costs for their next home are likely to be higher.

Under the new law, homeowners with existing mortgages taken out before Dec. 15, 2017, can continue to deduct interest on up to $1 million of mortgage debt. After that date, the limit for all “acquisition debt” – money used to buy, build or substantially improve a home – falls to $750,000. The deductibility of interest on home-equity loans or lines of credit, old or new, that are used for other purposes – such as paying for a vacation, a car or a college education–disappears. Plus, the deduction for state and local taxes, including property taxes, will be capped at $10,000.

“While living in their first home, the Sosoos itemized deductions on their federal tax return, including $11,000 in annual property taxes. The Sosoos have set a price limit of $700,000 on their next home, so they will still be able to deduct all of their mortgage interest. But they’ll take a major hit on the deductibility of their state and local taxes; they estimate that property taxes alone will run them about $15,000 annually.

“Taxes here are crazy, and the $10,000 limit kind of hurts,” says Patrice. But when they file their taxes for 2018, a tax-rate cut and the higher standard deduction could offset at least some of the loss in state and local tax deductions.

Limited damage

“The new law raises the standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers, $18,000 for head-of-household filers and $24,000 for married couples who file jointly. That may make the limits on deduction of mortgage interest and state and local taxes a moot point for many homeowners, who will benefit by switching from itemizing to taking the standard deduction.

“And despite the agitation that followed passage of the tax law, the changes will affect relatively few homeowners. In 2017, about 100,000 home buyers, or just 3.9% of all buyers nationally, took out a mortgage that exceeded $750,000, and they’re mainly concentrated in the Bay Area of California and the New York metro area, according to ATTOM Data Solutions, which analyzes property data.

“ATTOM also found that 4.1 million homeowners, or 4.4% of all homeowners, paid more than $10,000 in property taxes, and they’re concentrated in high-tax counties in the Bay Area, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

“But high-earners in places with lower property taxes could also hit the limit. Many high-income homeowners who are subject to the alternative minimum tax were already limited to deducting interest only on mortgage or home-equity debt used to buy, build or improve their homes, and they were prohibited from deducting state and local taxes.

What do the changes to the tax law mean for home prices?

moody's logo “Moody’s Analytics expects the housing market to continue recovering in 2018, the seventh year since the market hit bottom. But Moody’s predicts that by 2019, home prices nationally will be 3.7% lower, on average, than they would have been otherwise.

“The value of tax benefits was baked into home prices in high-cost, high-tax areas, so home prices will rise more slowly as prospective buyers try to contain the after-tax cost of homeownership. Some renters may rent longer or choose not to buy at all. Some buyers will look for less-expensive homes. Sellers of higher-end trade-up homes will feel more pressure to lower their prices.

“There buyers not only will hit the mortgage-interest and tax caps but also will be more likely to take the standard deduction and discontinue itemizing, especially if they have no other sizable deductions besides housing costs, says Andres Carbacho-Burgos, a housing economist at Moody’s Analytics.

“High-cost counties that will see home-price appreciation slow are concentrated on the West Coast, in the largest metro areas of Texas, in Chicago, and in the states from Massachusetts to Virginia. New Jersey is the worst case because it has the highest average property tax rate of the 50 states and the largest share of high-tier markets. Moody’s figures that by mid-2019, New Jersey’s home prices will fall by 2% from the year before.

“The trend of people moving from high-cost to lower-cost states will accelerate, says Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors. Home prices will continue to rise in states such as Arizona, the Carolinas, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Texas and Utah as more people move in than out. But prices in Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey and New York will decline as more people leave.

Home prices around the U.S.

“Prices increased nationally by 5.4% in 2017, compared with 5.8% in 2016, according to Clear Capital, a provider of real estate data and analysis. Jobs fueled demand from millennials and Generation Xers, who competed for a dearth of starter and trade-up homes and drove up prices.

“Home values rose in 269 of the 299 cities tracked by Clear Capital, going up by double digits in about one-seventh of them. With the exception of San Jose, Calif., epicenter of the tech boom, the places with the biggest gains were mostly smaller cities on the West Coast, in the Mountain states or in Florida that are attracting buyers priced out of larger cities nearby or have thriving economies. The cities where prices lost ground have moribund economies. They’re mostly located in Upstate New York, the Rust Belt and the South.

“CoreLogic, a financial data and analytics company, forecasts that prices will rise by about 4% in 2018, reverting to their historical pace. Frank Nothaft, chief economist at CoreLogic, says that in late 2017, CoreLogic analyzed home prices in the largest 100 metro areas and found that about one-third of them were overvalued by 10% or more, based on the long-term relationship between income and home prices.

“Are they in bubble trouble? “No,” says Nothaft. “It’s more an amber warning light indicating erosion of affordability.”

“Nothaft says historically low mortgage rates have helped to mask declining affordability, and when rates edge up in 2018, affordability will erode, adding to the potential for a slowdown in sales and price appreciation.

An unbalanced market

“The U.S. homeownership rate reached 64.2% in 2017, and it’s on a sustainable upward track, according to the U.S. Census. (The homeownership rate peaked at 69.2% in 2004.) Throughout 2017, the number of new homeowners exceeded the number of new renters, and first-time home buyers accounted for nearly one-third of all home sales. Millennials are making their first foray into ownership, and Gen Xers are transitioning from renting back to owning, says Yun. But until the inventory of new and existing homes increases, many would-be first-time buyers will be forced to continue renting.

“Existing homeowners are staying put longer than ever, and the share of repeat home buyers fell slightly between 2016 and 2017. Many homeowners would like to sell, but they fear they won’t be able to find another home they want. Others don’t want to give up their cheap mortgages.

“New homes are the key to unlocking the inventory stalemate, and with more new homes coming to market, the acuteness of the overall housing shortage is past, says Yun. “This year won’t be as bad for buyers as 2017, but it won’t be back to normal, either,” he says.

“As the housing market approaches the spring sales season, one thing is sure: Most people buy or sell homes for reasons other than tax benefits. “They’re getting married, having kids, or they’ve changed their jobs, or they’re retiring,” says Ralph McLaughlin, chief economist at Trulia, an online real estate marketplace. “The tax benefits are of less importance to them.”

“Mortgage outlook: Rates will ratchet up

FreddieMacLogo_3 “The 30-year fixed rate has lingered at about 4% or less since mid-2011, but this is the year mortgage rates will begin to rise from historic lows. The Federal Reserve is all but certain to continue ratcheting up short-term rates, and yields on 10-year Treasuries, which are tied to the 30-year mortgage rate, have already jumped. In early February, the national average 30-year fixed rate was 4.2%, according to Freddie Mac. By the end of 2018, Kiplinger expects the 30-year fixed rate to hit 4.5% and the 15-year fixed rate to reach 4.2%, up from 3.7% in early February.

“Borrowers who have a FICO credit score of 720 or higher and a down payment of at least 30% will get the best rates. Lenders will look at your whole credit profile, however, and consider factors that will offset risk, such as making a larger down payment or having other assets, says Guy Cecala, publisher of Inside Mortgage Finance. You still must be prepared to produce heaps of documentation of your income and assets and answer persnickety questions.

“With rising home prices and increasing equity, homeowners who haven’t refinanced yet could still snag a low fixed rate. As rates rise, 5/1 and 7/1 adjustable rate mortgages, which lock in a lower rate for five or seven years and then default to a one-year ARM, could gain popularity. Rates on jumbo loans (with a loan amount of $453,100 or more or, in high-cost areas, $679,650 or more) may be even lower than on conforming loans, says Cecala.

“When you shop, include an independent mortgage broker or two along with your bank or credit union and nonbank lenders such as Quicken, Caliber Home Loans or LoanDepot. Brokers may be able to find a cheaper deal through their wholesale channel than you could by approaching lenders directly.”

Congratulations to Shell Festival Winners

The island papers this week include the “Ribbon Report” from the 2018 Sanibel Shell Show. It was great to read of that some of our friends, clients, blog followers, and chorus pals won awards!

Dianne Reich’s sailor’s valentine received a 2^nd place ribbon.

Cheri Hollis’s shell photo got a 3^rd place ribbon.

Cheri hollis pix

Barb Walling’s professional flower arrangement made of shells won a 1^st place ribbon. Barb’s professional sea-life arrangement also earned a 1^st place.

Congratulations to all who participated.

Upcoming Island Events

35th Annual Sanibel-Captiva Lions Club Fine Arts & Crafts Fair – next week, 3/16 & 3/17 at The Community House across the street from SanibelSusan Realty. Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Launch – Sat 3/24 from 6 to 10 p.m., celebrating The Past, Present & Future of Our Coastal Heritage, sponsored by Coastal Keepers at The Sanibel Community House. To make a reservation call (239) 472-8585.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity March 2-9, 2018

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Sandpebble #4D 2/2 $439K, Sanibel Moorings #1611 2/2 $509K, Breakers West #A4 2/2 $549.9K, Sundial East #T301 2/2 $845K, Sundial East #P204 2/2 $899K.

3 price changes: Mariner Pointe #1061 2/2 now $549.9K (our listing), Lighthouse Point #321 3/2 now $679K, Loggerhead Cay #163 2/2 now $799,999.

4 new sales: Mariner Pointe #241 2/2.5 listed at $629K, Sundial West #J408 2/2 listed at $679K, Snug Harbor #211 2/2 listed at $769K, Sanddollar #B301 2/2 listed at $1.149M.

2 closed sales: Blind Pass #D101 2/2 $415K, Seascape #202 3/3.5 $2.195M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 9471 Peaceful Dr 3/2 $469K, 330 East Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.15M.

14 price changes: 9225 Belding Dr 3/2 now $449.9K, 225 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 now $719K, 9028 Mockingbird Dr 4/3 now $869K, 3941 Coquina Dr 3/2 now $949K, 5313 Punta Caloosa Ct 4/3 now $965K, 1724 Bunting Ln 3/4 now $975K, 1304 Eagle Run Dr 3/3 now $1.0995M, 824 Birdie View Pt 3/3 now $1.169M, 580 Lake Murex Cir 4/2 now $1.195M, 529 Lighthouse Way 3/3 now $1.22M, 534 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 now $1.298M, 2857 Wulfert Rd 4/5 now $1.598M, 490 Sawgrass Pl 3/2.5 now $1.675M, 4689 Rue Belle Mer 5/6.5 now $6.995M.

6 new sales: 1625 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 half-duplex listed at $619K, 1342 Junonia 3/3 listed at $669K, 1295 Par View Dr 3/2 listed at $675K, 5757 Baltusrol Ct 3/3 listed at $1.497M, 6021 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 4/3/2 listed at $2.499M, 1304 Seaspray Ln 3/2.5 listed at $4.345M.

3 closed sales: 1943 Sanibel Bayou Rd 3/3 $629.5K, 1307 Par View Dr 3/3 $970K, 1077 Bird Ln 4/4/2 $5.5M.

LOTS

No new listings.

3 price changes: 9226 Kincaid Ct now $159K, 1204 Par View Dr now $329K, 4995 Joewood Dr now $2.495M.

No new sale or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Marina Villas #803 2/2 $749K, Beach Homes #17 4/3 $3.395M.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: Beach Cottages #1403 2/2 $1.125M

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 15138 Wiles Dr 6/5.5 now $6.999M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 11521 Andy Rosse Ln 7/8 $2.25M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan Sanibelsusan Logo

Florida REALTORS & Sanibel/Captiva Scoop

Posted on January 26, 2018 by SanibelSusan

Today, SanibelSusan is in Orlando finishing up at the Florida Realtors® Mid-Winter Business Meetings. Here’s hoping this week’s blog doesn’t look too different – I am producing it using my iPhone and iPad. Gotta love this on-the-road technology!

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association’s leadership team was excited Wednesday night to make a clean sweep of the Florida PAC awards for a small board. Below is our 2018 President Dustyn Corace with the first of the trophies. Congratulation to our 2017 RPAC Committee co-chairs Realtor Tina DiCharia and Dave Arter (at left of Dustyn in photo) for leading the charge, and to our entire island membership for their participation and support! Also shown, in addition to the old gray-haired gal next to Dustyn, are our President-Elect soon-to-be-Mom Kasey Albright and her tall husband Realtor Brendan Albright, plus our Association Executive and CEO Bill Robinson.

D70948CC-3A31-45CB-916C-8C966A337407

My teammates have kept the office running smoothly the couple of days I have been here. Tuesday morning, I attended a preliminary closing just before heading out of town, while teammate Dave handled two others later in the week. The details on those, plus teammate Elise’s report of the week’s action in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news items below.

East Rocks Main Replacement

Island Water logo Here’s some scoop about The Rocks from the Winter “IWA Pipeline”.

“The East Rocks water main replacement, a portion of which was planned for completion in 2017, will now be started and completed beginning in the Spring of 2018. Since a majority of the country’s raw material for manufacturing PVC and HDPE pipe originates in the Texas area, Hurricane Harvey put a serious dent in the supply and price of this commodity. The portion of East Rocks Drive that was planned for 2017 was put off until 2018 when it will be completed along with the rest of the project.

“East Rocks had some streets partially upgraded years ago when fire hydrants were installed. This current project will remove all of the remaining thin-walled pipe and add a fire hydrant on Durion Court. As with the Brine Sump Replacement Project, this project will be paid for out of our reserves, with no assessments to members. This project has a budget of $280K.”

Home Water Treatment Systems

island water More about Sanibel’s water from the same “IWA Pipeline”.

“It has recently come to our attention that plumbing companies are attempting to sell our members expensive whole-home water treatment/softener systems. There is simply no need to install such a system to treat our water. The mineral content of our water is very low. In fact, after running through the Reverse Osmosis membranes, there are no minerals in the water. We have to add minerals in the form of a small amount of raw water back into our water to bring the total hardness up to between 30 to 60, depending on which wells we use. The state considers a total hardness of between 80-120 to be optimal. Anything below 100 is considered soft. Do not let a water treatment sales person try to tell you our water is hard.

“If the issue is chlorine residual, which is required by law, buy yourself a charcoal filter for the kitchen faucet or refrigerator water line for drinking water and ice. If you buy a whole-house charcoal filter, you will be removing the disinfectant from your house plumbing, which could lead to bacterial growth in your piping.

“If you would like your water tested, bring in a sample in a clean plastic or glass bottle, and we can test for chlorine residual and hardness. It should be at least a pint, at room temperature, and brought here as soon as possible. Chlorine degrades over time.”

Sanibel Library Update

The latest issue of the Sanibel Library newsletter had some interesting info too:

“Sanibel Public Library was recognized with a 2017 “Four Star” rating by “Library Journal”, the fourth time Sanibel has earned this national award. In statewide rankings of Florida public libraries, Sanibel Public Library ranked:

#1 for Material Available Per Capita: 13.11 (statewide average 1.86) Books, Movies, Music, Magazines
#1 for Public Computers Available Per 1,000: 4.6 (statewide average 0.82)
#1 for public space (square feet)
#2 for Circulation Per Borrower: 21.65 (statewide average 11.04)
#2 for Program Attendance Per Capita: 7 (statewide average 0.23)
#3 for Library Visits Per Capita: 18.51 (statewide average 3.79).”

Wondering what’s happening at the Library now?

“The award-winning Sanibel Public Library is a community anchor that encourages discovery, enrichment, and lifelong learning. The Library began with volunteers in the 1960s and is currently in its fifth home, which opened in 1994. In 2004 the building was expanded to its current size. Both the appearance and the quality of the structure are outstanding, but the infrastructure – HVAC, fire suppression, plumbing, lighting, technology, and flooring – are being upgraded for greater efficiency and sustainable design.

“As we take care of the infrastructure, we looked at the current use of the building, and how that use has changed over the past several years and how it will change in the future. Your Library Board of Commissioners is responding to these ever-changing needs while maintaining what is good about the last 50 years of library service on Sanibel, with a focus on fresh, new, dynamic services and programs.

“Reconfiguring the interior includes a user-centered service design with flexible, multi-purpose spaces for reading and research, collaboration, multiple technology access points, children’s story-time space, and more. The Sanibel Public Library will be positioned for the next decade of exemplary, innovative, and responsive library service.

“Your Library Reimagined has been in the planning since early 2015. The Library Board set a budget of $5.9 million, which is being covered by Library reserves, grants, and gifts. The project is currently in Phase I, half the Library is open to the public during the remodel. Phase I is nearing completion, and Phase II is expected to begin in February, with full completion expected by September 2018.”

2018 Florida Real Estate Trends

97C7F585-3EEB-4DE8-9BFE-5F821247F52B Here are a few notes from the session I attended yesterday at the Florida Realtors Governance Meetings. This one included presentations by:

● Dr. Tony Villamil, who was Governor Bush’s first Director for Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development. Previously, he was President George Bush’s U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs. Today, he is the founder and principal advisor at The Washington Economics Group, Inc.

● Kevin Foreman who leads INDRIX Big Data and GeoAnalytics. He is the General Manager of GeoAnalytics.

● Dr. Brad O’Connor, Florida REALTORS Chief Economist.

The following snippets are from Dr. Villamil’s presentation: “National & Florida Economic Outlook”. Next week’s update will include info from the other speakers’ presentations: “How Self-Driving Cars Will Impact Real Estate” and “Florida Residential Resale Market Update”. All were interesting, and confirm the real estate business continues to evolve – in a good way!

According to Dr. Villamil, the overall international business climate will not change significantly in 2018.

Positive factors in Florida’s economy include the state being pro-growth with increasing population and growing employment. Global economy is expanding at a moderate pace and the U.S. economy also will grow this year at a good clip.

His 2018 economic outlook has U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) up 3% and world output globally up 3.5%. Canada is doing well. The economy is expected to be up India (under new prime minister (democracy)) and China. Brazil is expected to be back in action too, but there is mixed outlook for Latin America.

In financial markets, inflation may be up 2%, but household net worths are doing very well, consumers will continue to buy, and real estate will remain in demand.

Much of Florida’s economy depends on open global markets. Watch for the modernization of NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement), and U.S./global markets going to “sunshine”.

Florida’s employment is growing faster than the rest of the nation. That should continue in 2018. Florida’s real GDP which is top among states also should continue to increase too and pass $1 trillion in 2018!

Dr. Villamil expects a positive environment for Florida’s 2018 real estate markets with the strong economic expansion to continue; population, employment, and visitor growth to be more than 2017; positive tax changes for Florida residents; and international visitors and foreign investment to increase.

Economic factors that need to be monitored include the Fed being less accommodating, inflation expectations, “hard” Brexit, the U.S. dollar exchange rate, trade/immigration policy, and 2018 national and state elections.

So overall, it should be another outstanding year for Florida business. Exciting changes are coming though. More info on that next week.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity January 19-26, 2018

Sanibel
CONDOS
3 new listings: Donax Village #9 2/2 $499K, Pointe Santo #E35 2/2 $1.295M, Island Beach Club #340D 2/2 $1.379M.
8 price changes: Spanish Cay #A7 1/1 now $274K (our listing), Sand Pointe #122 2/2 now $649K (our listing), Nutmeg Village #201 2/2 now $999K, Gulfside Place #222 2/2 now $1.175M, Gulfside Place #123 2/2 now $1.198M, Gulfside Place #323 2/2 now $1.398M, Gulfside Place #124 2/2 now $1.225M, Poinciana #3C 3/2 now $1.725M.
5 new sales: Mariner Pointe #1073 2/2 listed at $499K, Sanibel Inn #3535 2/2 listed at $765K, Surfside 12 #A1 3/2 listed at $799K, Sundial West #E208 2/2 listed at $1.15M, By-The-Sea #C302 3/2 listed at $1.745M.
2 closed sales: Nutmeg Village #109 2/2 $665K, Bandy Beach #A101 3/2 $1M (our buyer).

HOMES
12 new listings: 1410 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 $639K, 5307 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2.5 $645K, 1020 White Ibis Dr 3/2 $689K, 3837 Coquina Dr 2/2 $725K, 3825 Coquina Dr 3/3 $849K, 5410 Osprey Ct 3/2.5 $849K, 5739 Pine Tree Dr 3/3 $849K, 3050 West Gulf Dr 3/2.5 $979K, 542 N Yachtsman Dr 2/2 $989K, 824 Birdie View Pt 3/3 $1.198M, 3822 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.199M, 1316 Eagle Run Dr 4/3 $1.299M.
13 price changes: 1027 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 now $549K; 3784 Coquina Dr 3/3 now $599,995; 1478 Albatross Rd 3/2 now $639K; 998 Fish Crow Rd 3/2 now $644K; 1342 Junonia St 3/3 now $689K; 3323 Twin Lakes Ln 3/3 now $787K; 5280 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 now $849K; 4791 Rue Helene 3/2 now $849K; 707 Cardium St 3/2 now $879K; 478 Sea Oats Dr 3/3 now $1.195M; 805 Sand Dollar Dr 4/3 now $1.395M; 536 Lighthouse Way 4/4.5 now $3.195M; 3009 Turtle Gait Ln 4/4.5 now $3.299M.
5 new sales: 3021 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 listed at $499K, 1470 Angel Dr 3/2 listed at $920K, 789 Pyrula Ave 4/2.5 listed at $1.095M, 900 Almas Ct 3/3.5 listed at $1.199M, 4641 Rue Belle Mer 3/2.5 listed at $3.295M.
5 closed sales: 1817 Atlanta Plaza Dr 3/2 $385K, 545 Piedmont Rd 3/2 $585K, 241 Violet Dr 3/2.5 $685K, 1035 Kings Crown Dr 4/3 $1.71M, 1149 Paper Fig Ct 4/3 $2.179M.

LOTS
1 new listing: 1550 Centre St $225K.
No price changes.
1 new sale: Lot 27, Leisure Acres listed at $59K.
No closed sales.

Captiva
CONDOS
3 new listings: Sunset Beach Villas #2214 2/2 $620K; Captiva Shores #8B 3/2.5 $1.648M; Seabreeze #1253 3/3 $1,999,999.
1 price change: Marina Villas #610 2/2 now $699K.
1 new sale: Beach Cottages #1403 2/2 $1.195M.
1 closed sale: Captiva Shores #4B 3/2.5 $1.3745M.

HOMES
1 new listing: 16177/179 Captiva Dr 3/3 $3.75M.
2 price changes: 11535 Chapin Ln 4/3 now $1.395M, 16163 Captiva Dr 3/2 now $2.695M.
No new sales.
1 closed sale: 11526 Laika Ln 4/4 duplex $1.725M.

LOTS
Nothing to report.

Until next week! Enjoy your weekends wherever you are & please contact the SanibelSusan Team for your real estate needs. We are always ready to help you!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Little April Shower on Otherwise-Sunny Sanibel

Posted on April 7, 2017 by SanibelSusan

Lighthouse 04-2017.jpg

It is SanibelSusan reporting the end of another week of fabulous weather and busy roadways on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Yesterday, the area had just a little, but much-needed, rain in advance of a breezy cool front. Today and tomorrow, it is expected to be only in the mid-70’s. The forecast says it will be back to bright sunny days and temperatures in the high-70’s low-80’s right through Easter weekend, when the islands are expected to be even more packed with vacationing families. (Lee County Schools are off next week, too.)

SanibelSusan Realty

Sanibelsusan Logo Here at SanibelSusan Realty our listings had good showings this week. We had another nice closing yesterday (they all are nice) and I showed property over the weekend which resulted in an offer. Teammate Dave held Open Houses for the better part of two days and has been opening listings for showings too. Elise’s weekly report of the activity posted in the Sanibel/Captiva Multiple Listing Service, follows a few news items below.

Upcoming Spring Events

childrens ctr Saturday, Apr 15, 9 to 11 a.m. – 23^rd Annual Spring Festival – at Sanibel Community Park (across from SanibelSusan Realty), sponsored by The Children’s Education Center of the Islands. A free Easter egg hunt for children by age group, begins at 9 a.m., followed by games, contests, crafts, rides, silent auction & more. A $10 armband allows a child unlimited fun in all activities. Proceeds will benefit the educational center’s scholarship fund and capital improvements.

Saturday, Apr 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Sanibel Community Church Easter Egg Hunt – This year, the theme is Family Challenge. Huge board games will be set up. Families can play to win a Family Easter Basket so share. Also, preschool games, bounce house, cake walk, outdoor games, free lunch, and thousands of eggs to find for prizes.

Saturday, Apr 15, 1 p.m. – 6^th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza – at Island Inn with face painting & balloon animals, live mollusk touch tank, miniature & trick pony rides, Trouper the blind racoon, green screen photo booth, appearance from the Easter Bunny, & beach-front Easter egg hunt with $200 in golden eggs (for children under 12).

Sunday, Apr 16, 6:30 a.m. – Easter Sunrise Service on the Causeway (by Sanibel Community Church).

sanibel-sunrise

Pickleball Courts Now Open at Sundial

The largest pickle board facility in the area is now open at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa. With twelve Plexi-cushion courts and stadium seating, resort guests received complimentary court access and equipment rentals. Lessons and clinics are offered by an IPTPA certified resident pro. Memberships and daily passes are available to island visitors and residents. More info at www.sundialresort.com/play or phone 888-889-5410.

Wondering what pickleball is? Known here are the up-&-coming sport for baby boomers, here’s Wikipedia’s definition: “Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Two, three, or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a wiffle ball, over a net. The sport shares features of other racquet sports, the dimensions and layout of a badminton court, and a net and rules similar to tennis, with a few modifications. Pickleball was invented in the mid-1960s as a children’s backyard pastime but has become popular among adults as well.”

Federal Flood Maps

You may remember that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that a gulf-front condominium complex near where I live had their Federal Flood Zone changed from the high-risk “V” velocity zone to the “A” zone.

On much of the island, any building located in a V or A zone is considered in a Special Flood Hazard Area that is lower than the Base Flood Elevation. The exact zone affects insurance costs so a change out of the “V” zone usually is a big deal.

Teammate Dave watches for flood zone revisions and pointed out last week that my area of Anchor Drive on Sanibel’s east end recently (on March 22) was issued a Letter of Map Revision which like the condo, moves it from Zone VE to Zone AE.

If you are wondering about a specific property and the zone. Here’s a link to the Federal Flood Maps. Just enter the address.

Resort & 2^nd Home Market

I am continually updating the class I teach each summer at the local Association of Realtors®. Here are a few changes I added this week.

“While the market may not be as robust as in previous years, Florida is still the No. 1 state for foreign buyers, according to the 2016 “Profile of International Home Buyers in Florida”, prepared for Florida Realtors® by the Research Division, National Association of Realtors®.

“Last year, says the study, the state drew 22% of the nation’s international residential market. And Florida is starting to look more attractive to foreign buyers from countries that don’t traditionally invest here.

“There are several trends that could impact sales, including government regulations in China, the value of the British pound, and political turmoil in Venezuela.

“It’s not just overseas issues that are in play: U.S. immigration policies, new air service, commercial investment opportunities, and residential developments also could affect decisions by international buyers and sellers – both positively and negatively. For instance, Emirates, the airline based in Dubai, launched daily flights between Dubai and Orlando in 2015 and added service to Fort Lauderdale last December. This could make the state more appealing to Mideast buyers.”

From “Florida Realtor”, the global edition, from the 2016 profile of international buyers in Florida, “Just the Global Facts”:

“Foreign buyer purchases of Florida residential properties decreased to $19.5 billion ($23.7 billion in 2015). This accounted for 19% of Florida’s residential dollar volume of sales (24% in 2015).
Foreign buyers purchased 47,000 residential properties (44,000 in 2015), which made up 12% of Florida’s residential market (12% in 2015 too.)
The average price of foreign buyer purchases declined to $412,000 in 2016 compared to $539,000 in 2015.
Latin American & Caribbean buyers accounted for the largest fraction of foreign buyers at 39%.
The top five countries of origin by dollar volume were Canada ($3.0 billion), Brazil ($2.8 billion), Venezuela ($1.5 billion), the United Kingdom ($1.4 billion) and Argentina ($1.4 billion).
The number of buyers from Venezuela declined significantly (18% in 2015, 8% in 2016), while the share of buyers from Canada increased (11% in 2015, 19% in 2016).
Foreign buyers purchased property across Florida, but they were concentrated in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area (52%), Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area (12%), and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area (8%).
52% of foreign buyers bought a townhouse or condominium.”

Why Can’t Lawyers Give a Straight Answer?

The title of this article posted on line this week at “FloridaRealtors.org” caught my eye. Written by Joel Maxon, Director of Florida Realtors® Legal Services, it makes some good points.

“Question: Why do lawyers pepper their conversations with words like maybe, probably and possibly, when I ask about an active legal dispute? It seems like lawyers don’t like straight answers. I just want to know which side is right and which side is wrong!

“Answer: There’s an old lawyer’s adage that goes something like this: When the facts are on your side, pound the facts. When the law is on your side, pound the law. When neither is on your side, pound the table.

“In other words, a lawyer can almost always make multiple arguments on either side after hearing a set of facts. It’s just a question of how strong those arguments would be if the lawyer had to make them in a court of law. Trying to guess which side will win a case (though most cases settle before trial) has more in common with predicting the winner of a soccer match than answering a true or false question.

“How does this relate to the Florida Realtors Legal Hotline? If you’re asking who will win a contested legal battle based on a brief phone conversation, there’s a very good chance you’ll be disappointed when the lawyer is unwilling or unable to give an answer. We might be able to shed some insight on the world of contested litigation, but litigation is measured one step at a time in a move/counter system.

“If one party has decided to litigate, the factors below are often vital to understand – and they’re often more important than which side has better facts or stronger laws on their side:

How much money are the parties fighting over?
Which party is more stubborn?
Which party has more resources?
How skillful is each party’s lawyer?
Who will pay the cost of litigation?
How will the dispute be resolved – mediation, arbitration, litigation or some other forum?
What is the judge, jury or other decision maker like?
Is there a time when one side will give up – a month, a year, a decade?
Is there a time when the cost of litigation will cause one side to give up, such as $1,000 in attorney fees and costs, $10,000, or $100,000?
What procedural rules impact the case, such as a statute of limitations or specific venue where the lawsuit must be filed?

“Keep in mind that the parties are always welcome to settle the matter by agreeing to some sort of compromise, and you’re welcome to help with the settlement discussions. You even have a release and cancellation form available if the parties successfully resolve the dispute through conversation.

“However, avoid giving legal advice while you do so, and don’t volunteer phrases like “you have a strong case,” or “you are clearly in default,” even if the party you’re working with wants you to give legal advice.

It’s up to the parties to evaluate the strength of their case and decide whether to settle the matter through discussion or have their case heard by a third party, such as a court. If they choose the latter route, they must either represent themselves or hire a lawyer – and they would be well advised to think about questions like the ones above before they decide to litigate.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 31 – April 7, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Loggerhead Cay #463 2/2 $529K, Tarpon Beach #103 2/2 $799K, Shorewood #2D 3/2 $1.1M, High Tide #C201 2/2 $1.145M.

9 price changes: Tennisplace #E33 2/1.5 now $306K, Mariner Pointe #1412 1/1 now $334K, Seashells #38 2/2 now $363K, Seashells #11 2/2 now $393K, Sundial West #H209 1/1 now $429K, Mariner Pointe #712 2/2.5 now $463.5K, Sanibel Inn #3512 2/2 now $649K, Pointe Santo #B25 2/2 now $749K, High Tide #C101 2/2 now $1.095M.

5 new sales: Loggerhead Cay #443 2/2 listed at $549K, Sandy Bend #5 2/2 listed at $749.9K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #5-2 3/3 listed at $789K, Loggerhead Cay #103 2/2 listed at $999K, Sundial East #T306 3/2 listed at $1.395M.

5 closed sales: Loggerhead Cay #253 2/2 $480K, Sundial East #O401 2/2 $675K, Nutmeg Village #303 2/2 $765K (our listing), Kings Crown #211 3/2 $828K, Somerset #A302 3/2.5 $1.85M.

View from Nutmeg Village #303, just sold!

HOMES

3 new listings: 1317 Par View Dr 3/3 $649K, 587 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 $685K, 4257 West Gulf Dr 5/4.5 $4.95M.

14 price changes: 5292 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2 now $599K, 5297 Punta Caloosa Ct 3/2 now $625K, 5105 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 4/3 now $639K, 3784 Coquina Dr 4/2 now $659.95K, 1295 Par View Dr 3/2 now $675K, 601 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 now $687K, 1710 Sand Pebble Way 3/2 now $689K, 1717 Sand Pebble Way 3/2 now $689K, 1656 Middle Gulf Dr 3/4 now $1.15M, 1426 Causey Ct 3/2.5 now $1.349M, 769 Pyrula Ave 3/3.5 now $1.35M, 2451 Blind Pass Ct 4/4.5 now $1.899M, 1528 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/3 now $1.995M, 514 Kinzie Island Ct 4/5 now $2.195M.

4 new sales: 2507 Blind Pass Ct 3/3 listed at $1.495M; 4428 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 listed at $1,149,999; 6192 Henderson Rd 4/4 listed at $1,999,999; 3869 West Gulf Dr 6/7/2 listed at $8.975M.

7 closed sales: 984 Greenwood Ct 3/2 half-duplex 3/2 $455K, 1386 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $770K, 1683 Bunting Ln 3/3 $730K, 608 Boulder Dr 3/3 $830K, 1146 Buttonwood Ln 3/3 $945K, 3944 West Gulf Dr 3/3 $1.05M, 2143 Starfish Ln 3/3.5 $1.375M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 9066 Mockingbird Ln listed at $380K.

1 closed sale: 2626 Coconut Rd $225K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Beach Villas #2525 2/2 now $639K.

1 new sale: Sunset Beach Villas #2324 2/2 listed at $625K.

4 closed sales: Tennis Villas #3111 1/1 $248K, Bayside Villas #5204 1/2 $310K, Tennis Villas #3131 2/2 $405K, Marina Villas #908 2/2 $781K.

HOMES

No new listings.

2 price changes: 14980 Binder Dr 4/3 now $1.248M, 14860 Mango Ct 5/4 now $1.995M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 16910 Captiva Dr 4/4 $4M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

(This representation is based, in whole, or in part, on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.)

Until next Friday, below is a photo taken Sunday night (April 3) from Redfish Pass aboard the Lady Chadwick’s sunset cruise, overlooking the gulf. North Captiva is on the right.

Looking to take one of these cruises yourself? They sail out of McCarthy’s Marina. More info at CaptivaCruises.com

Enjoy your weekend!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

sunset 04-03-17

Real Estate & More on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on January 6, 2017 by SanibelSusan

SanibelSusan here reporting another week of wonderful island weather and the good news for those of us traveling Sanibel’s roadways has been a bit of a traffic reprieve. The islands remain busy with holiday vacationers, including many locals since schools are still out, but Periwinkle Way has been a little easier to maneuver this week.

Several of our listings had showings, with some future appointments scheduled. All-in-all, it’s looking like the first quarter of 2017 will be a busy one.

At SanibelSusan Realty Associates

Sanibelsusan Logo We received a terrific new listing yesterday and another today. The first a large beautifully-remodeled meticulous and professionally-decorated 3+bedroom along the back circle in Seagull Estates will be posted in MLS early next week, as soon as the professional photography is done. With three screened porches overlooking a tropical backyard that borders conservation land, it also is an easy stroll or bike ride to the community pool, clubhouse, tennis, and beach access.

239 Daniel Drive in Seagull Estates

The 2^nd is another beach-front condo at Casa Ybel Resort in their guaranteed income program. You may remember that we had another unit listed there that closed the end of the year. Those units (there are only 40 condos within the resort) are what many local Realtors® call “no brainers” for investors looking for easy ownership. The resort takes care of everything (including utilities and updates/repairs) with owners getting half of the annual income which usually is just under $100K. Cottage Colony West #119 will be posted later today in MLS.

Balcony & private stairs to beach at Cottage Colony West #119 at Casa Ybel Resort

Teammate Dave held an Open House yesterday at Pointe Santo and had good walk-in traffic – other island owners and renters. As properties are vacant and available, he will continue those open houses through season. He’s been busy opening listings for showings and accompanying showings too – all good action this week.

Looking from Pointe Santo #C34 over lagoon to clubhouse to gulf

The team and I are watching prices closely now that “season” is here. Overall sales in 2016 fell short of 2015. Prices, however, continue to creep up, but still are far from where they were in the heyday of 2006. The positive post-election vibes, I expect will keep those prices on the upswing. It should be a winter of plenty of offers (she said optimistically).

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Caravan Meeting

There were only a few sales announced at the Realtor® Caravan Meeting yesterday. Those are listed in the report below of the action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel/Captiva Multiple Listing Service.

Our meeting next Thursday morning is the island Association of Realtors® Annual Installation and Awards event. It is usually an evening banquet, but this year is a morning (8 a.m.) breakfast at The Sanctuary. The Caravan following will be a shortened version, so our listings due for caravan will be open the following week from 9 a.m. to noon.

Want to Avoid Legal Hassles? Top Lessons From 2016

The below article was posted online today at FloridaRealtors® and has some good advice. It came from Fort Lauderdale’s “Sun Sentinel”. Info about the author follows the article.

“With the foreclosure crisis over and home prices continuing to increase, we’ve moved past the problems that were unique to the housing bust. It’s a more normal real estate market these days, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t issues around every corner.

“Here are my top lessons learned in 2016:

“Whether you’re on the board of your community association or just live in one, you need to read your governing documents. The answers to most problems can be found there, so it should be your first stop before you file a complaint or a lawsuit.
“Remember, when you bought your home, you agreed to the restrictions that are now vexing you. If you want to change the rules, get involved. Join the board of directors. If you’re on the board and want to change things, first clear it with the association’s attorney. Association litigation is expensive and often easy to avoid if you know your community’s rules and follow them.
“I’ll address two questions I hear several times a week: First, your association can foreclose on your home over a small amount of owed dues. Even if there is a mistake on your maintenance bill, pay the disputed money and then work with your association to resolve the error. Second, accept that residents are entitled to service animals under the law – even if the residents don’t appear to have visible disabilities. If you think a resident is abusing the rules, speak to the association’s attorney before you do anything.
“Interest rates are rising, and lenders are lending money again. If you have any intention of refinancing your mortgage, now is the time to do it. It’s also a good time to buy a home. As interest rates increase, your purchasing power will decrease. Although I don’t think interest rates will skyrocket, you should get the cheap money now while it’s still available.
“Finally, one of my favorite sayings is, “If you can say it, you can sign it.” Many times, relationships go wrong and promises get broken. Two people can have the same conversation and walk away with very different understandings. Whether you are agreeing to help your adult child buy a home or making a deal with a contractor to remodel your kitchen, always write down what you both agree to and then sign your names to it. While a properly drafted contract is best, just writing down, in detail, what each party agreed to, will reduce the chances of a dispute and make things easier to resolve if there is a disagreement.

“About the writer: Gary M. Singer is a Florida attorney and board-certified as an expert in real estate law by the Florida Bar. He practices real estate, business litigation and contract law from his office in Sunrise, Fla. He is the chairman of the Real Estate Section of the Broward County Bar Association and is a co-host of the weekly radio show Legal News and Review. He frequently consults on general real estate matters and trends in Florida with various companies across the nation. Send him questions online at http://www.sunsentinel.com/askpro or follow him on Twitter @GarySingerLaw.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity December 30, 2016 – January 6, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Breakers West #A5 2/2 $514K, Sanibel Arms #F2 1/1 $515K, Cottage Colony West #119 1/1 $674K (our listing), Island Beach Club #220E 2/2 $1.039M.

1 price change: Sundial West #S404 3/2 now $850K.

1 new sale: Pointe Santo #E37 3/2 listed at $1.475M.

1 closed sale: Cottage Colony West #137 1/1 $602.5K.

HOMES

4 new listings: 474 Lake Murex Cir 2/2 $399K, 3008 Singing Wind Dr 2/2 $529K, 4239 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $549K, 1304 Seaspray Ln 3/2.5 $4.495M.

5 price changes: 2401 Shop Rd 2/1 now $278K, 1478 Albatross Rd 3/2 now $659K, 5757 Pine Tree Dr 3/2.5 now $800K, 1321 Par View Dr 3/2.5 now $895K, 407 Bella Vista Way 4/4 now $2.99M.

5 new sales: 2142 Egret Cir 3/2 listed at $499K, 5406 Osprey Ct 3/2 listed at $889K, 521 Lighthouse Way 3/2 listed at $995K, 1511 Angel Dr 3/3 listed at $1.25M, 5125 Joewood Dr 4/4 listed at $2.595M.

1 closed sales: 1559 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $625K.

LOTS

1 new listing: 629 Lighthouse Way $1.095M.

No price changes.

2 new sales: 2379 Wulfert Rd listed at $289K, 592 Sea Oats Dr listed at $349.9K.

1 closed sale: 2411 Blue Crab Ct $307,318.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Tennis Villas #3121 1/1/2 $255K, Bayside Villas #1/2 $315K.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11551 Wightman Ln 3/3.5 $5M.

3 price changes: 43 Oster Ct 2/2.5 now $879K; 14980 Binder Dr 4/3 now $1,377,935; 14860 Mango Ct 5/4 now $2,343,925.

1 new sale: 11537 Laika Ln 4/3 listed at $1.549M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

(This representation is based, in whole, or in part, on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents general real estate activiislty in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.)

Until next Friday, here’s hoping your winter is warm and bright. Another cool front is expected to pass through here on Sunday when the high is forecast to be just 61 degrees F and breezy. Back into the 70’s right after that. Just how we like January on Sanibel.

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Beach path at Casa Ybel Resort

Mid-December on Sanibel/Captiva

Posted on December 16, 2016 by SanibelSusan

SanibelSusan is reporting again that pre-Christmas and year-end events continue to keep Sanibel and Captiva Island real estate showings and sales activity to a minimum, but I was happy to make a “new sale” announcement at our local Association of Realtors® monthly breakfast meeting yesterday.

Below are more details from the meeting, a few news items, and a report of the action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service.

Beginning Saturday, the island is expected to fill up with holiday visitors. Though, heaviest check-ins are expected, the following week, on Christmas Eve. With the chilly weather in so much of the nation, I am sure that the islands are looking mighty fine to many right now. It’s a sunny 80 degrees here as I post this at 3:30 p.m. with weather expected to be the same right through Christmas. No need for ugly Christmas sweaters here!

i-wear-flip-flops-in-winter

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

2017 Professional Standards Committee – Many know that Realtors® subscribe to a Code of Ethics. We also self-govern, handling complaints from the public or colleagues regarding matters of ethics or commission arbitrations. To serve on the committees that handle these issues (thankfully few complaints are filed on Sanibel & Captiva), annual mandatory training is required. Since I will be heading the Sanibel/Captiva Association’s Ombudsman Committee again in next, I was one of 14 island Realtors® who this week completed their training for 2017. Here we are with our Florida Realtors® instructor, Anne Cockayne.

Pro Stds 12-14-16.jpg

December Monthly Membership Meeting – Dustyn Corace, 2017 President-elect, presided over the monthly meeting yesterday at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®. Guest speakers were Cara Pennetti, Owner Services Manager, and Phillip Starling, General Manager, from Sundial Beach Resort and Spa.

Looking to increase the number of Sundial units enrolled in their on-site rental program, Cara and Phil reminded Realtors® that the resort’s new 3-year rental agreement, now going into its second year, gives owners 55% of the income the 1^st year, followed by 57% and 60% in the following years. With this agreement, owners may reserve up to 28 days for their own use between February 15 and April 30, otherwise owner time is unlimited.

Phil also spoke of the new pickleball courts being constructed at the resort (more on that below). He also said that plans and permits are in the works for a new food/beverage offering that is expected to be open in the lobby area beginning February 1. Sounded like it could be take-out, but it’s not ready to be officially announced yet – more on that in the days to come.

Before the Caravan portion of the meeting, 2017 Committee Chairs gave brief presentations on their plans for the upcoming year. Since the current chair was away, as the incoming Chair for Communications & Public Relations, I reported on the three ads that will be in upcoming publications. Developed from a member survey conducted earlier this year and titled “Realtors® Make a Difference”, these marketing pieces describe how island Realtors® help, serve, and take pride in our community.

I also reported that monies from the reserve fund from our meeting 50/50 drawings are being donated to the following local charities: $500 CHR (Community Housing & Resources), $500 CROW (Care & Rehabilitation of Wildlife), $500 F.I.S.H. (Friends In Service Here), $500 Friends Who Care, $500 San-Cap Cares (Golisano Children’s Hospital), and $1,000 The Community House. Formal check presentations will be made later this month.

Earlier this year from our RPAC contributions, a $4,500 grant went to SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) for educational boat trips. The Association is proud of its partnerships with, and support from, many local organizations.

Sundial Beach Resort & Spa Has Pickleball Coming

santiva chronicle The “Santiva-Chronicle” reported Wednesday that “Sundial Beach Resort & Spa has announced the addition of 12 regulation pickleball courts to its lineup of resort amenities and public offerings.

2016-sundial-pickleball

“The Plexicushion system courts will provide the area with state-of-the-art tournament-grade facilities in a beautiful, lake-front setting. Construction is underway with an anticipated early spring opening.

“Pickleball was invented in 1965 as the result of family boredom and ingenuity and has enjoyed a rapidly growing burst of popularity. A combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis, it now claims the title of the “fastest growing sport in North America”. Suitable for all ages and skill levels, the sport is a game of shot placement rather than strength and may be played at a leisurely pace or highly competitive tournament level.

““We’re looking forward to bringing a quality, state-of-the-art pickleball facility to Southwest Florida” said Phillip Starling, Sundial’s general manager. “Not only will Sundial be the first area resort to offer onsite, stand-alone courts to guests, we’ll also be providing a resource for local and tournament play in our region.”

“Erica Cossairt, Director of Tennis, will oversee Sundial’s pickleball program and league play. Lessons, round robins, and clinics for all ages will be available to both resort guests, residents and visitors. Introductory pickleball memberships will be offered to the public at $250 annually or a $5 guest fee per person per hour.

“Guests of the resort will enjoy complimentary access as part of Sundial’s activity package. In addition, the resort plans to host USA Pickleball Association Tournament play including competition for all levels and ages with its inaugural tournament planned for later in the year. For information on memberships and pickleball please contact pickleball@sundialresort.com or phone 239-395-6037.”

Update on Sanibel Community House

community-ctr-renovation Construction is nearing completion at the $3M reconstruction, restoration, renovation, expansion project at The Community House. It all began in May. A temporary certificate of occupancy is expected before the end of the month. If it is received, equipment could starting moving in in early January. Events are already scheduled in 2017, including the 80^th Annual Sanibel Shell Festival in March. Not bad for a building that is a 90-year-old structure. More info at www.SanibelCommunityHouse.net.

Holiday Happenings

Community Carol Sing – open to the public, at historic Captiva Chapel By The Sea, 11580 Chapin Lane, Sunday, Dec 18 at 6 p.m. A handful of locals and featuring Johnny Jensen on the drums are performing “Little Drummer Boy”. You-know-who is singing alto.

Santa Run – Want presents delivered? They must be taken to the main fire station at 2351 Palm Ridge Rd no later than 5 p.m. next Friday, Dec 23. Each gift must be in a bag with instructions attached. If it is going to a condo, a detailed sketch is helpful. Sponsored by the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club, delivery begins at 5:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve on Lighthouse Beach – open to the public, 5 p.m. outdoor service by Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ with candle lighting, carol singing, & offering to benefit F.I.S.H and the Salvation Army.

2017 Investing: Turbulent Market, Lots of Opportunity

The below interesting, though lengthy article was posted yesterday at Florida Realtors® on line. Many have noticed that the market here came back following the election. I bet it stays hot through “season”, after that maybe some of the forecast here will apply.

“The real estate market is in for some turbulence in 2017, but it is not time for investors to hide under their beds, according to LaSalle Investment Managements latest Investment Strategy report.

“While there is a good chance there will be some real game-changers with (Donald) Trump’s election, Brexit, Italian referendum and more to come in 2017, investors should future-proof their portfolios by trying to get ahead of certain slow-moving secular trends including climate change and urbanization, said Jacques Gordon, global strategist in the real estate money managers Chicago office, in an interview.

“In the U.S., there is significant uncertainty surrounding Mr. Trump’s policies and direction, as well as the future relationship between Mr. Trump as president and the Republican-controlled Congress, the 2017 annual report, released Tuesday, noted.

“Tax cuts, infrastructure spending, deregulation and improved business sentiment – all things Mr. Trump has promoted – would benefit real estate investments, the paper stated.

“Real estate connected to infrastructure projects typically does extremely well, Mr. Gordon said. Examples include projects to convert abandoned rail lines into walkable urban spaces such as Manhattans High Line and similar projects in Atlanta, Chicago and Portland, Ore., he said.

“All of this takes infrastructure spending to get it going, Mr. Gordon said.

“However, trade wars, reduced immigration, interest rate increases and a standoff between Congress and the president on deficit spending would be negative for real estate investors.

“A trade war, for example, could hurt U.S. exports and real estate related to the technology, media and telecommunications sectors, the report noted.

“This is not a time for fear and terror, Mr. Gordon cautioned. It’s a time to pay attention and be aware of the structural changes that are coming, to be more cautious and to find places to move to offense.

“Watching trends – The four main structural, long-term trends that LaSalle tracks are demographics, technology, urbanization and environment. The latter category, new this year, covers climate change awareness, sustainability initiatives and measures to benefit the health and welfare of building users.

“Investors should keep these trends in mind as they can dramatically affect real estate holdings, the report states. This means focusing on the parts of the city where there are demographic, urbanization, technology and environmental change drivers, Mr. Gordon said.

“Tenants these days want properties that have recycling and energy conservation initiatives like saving on water, which also reduce costs, he said. Investors should also be aware of how properties in certain locations will do in climate-change conditions such as flooding. With 100-year floods happening every three years, it (climate change conditions) seems more common, he said.

“In some areas in Florida, for example, real estate investors should be aware of the costs of rising sea levels and rising tides on properties. Real estate investors can do things like making sure their backup generators are not in the basement in case of a flood, he said.

“There are investment opportunities in the U.S. One of the most attractive in 2017 will be warehouse development to take advantage of shoppers increasing preference for shopping online and subsequent moves toward faster delivery, the report states. This trend is driving demand for modern warehouses built to accommodate e-commerce in locations close to cities and traditional distribution centers, the report noted.

“LaSalle also is recommending defensive investments in premium malls, urban retail and grocery-anchored centers, which generally outperform other property types during recessions. The firm is making this recommendation even though the report acknowledges that in the future, shoppers could shift to online grocery shopping rather than buying groceries at brick-and-mortar stores.

“Looking north – “Still, LaSalle predicts rent growth will moderate in the U.S. as well as in Canada during 2017 from the high rates of 2015 and 2016. However, supply of new property should not overrun demand in North America as construction loans are harder to obtain.

“One investment opportunity in Canada stems from the globalization of Canadian pension plan portfolios, the report notes. As Canadian pension funds increase their international real estate exposure, they are selling off peripheral real estate holdings in Canada. This is creating investment opportunities in core and core-plus properties that are not typically available, the study states.

“In Europe, the coming elections in 2017 could lead to significant market volatility. The resignation of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi after voters rejected a referendum to change the country’s constitution has brought anti-European Union-immigration forces to power in Italy, the paper notes. But even had the referendum passed, Italy still has problems that negatively impact real estate investors, including the undercapitalization of banks stifling credit, the report notes.

“With upcoming elections across Europe, LaSalle expects mainstream candidates to prevail over nationalist parties in Germany and France. If LaSalle executives are right, there will be moderate economic growth and inflation in 2017 and 2018, which should lead real estate investors to continue investing in income-producing properties in Europe.

“Competition for core income-producing real estate in Europe will remain intense, the study states. However, aside from a potential upside for office properties as a result of the U.K. vote to exit the European Union in June, LaSalle foresees investment opportunities in retail, including shopping centers in dominant shopping destinations in France and premium shopping centers in Sweden and Germany.

“There are also value-added opportunities in Europe. Examples are micro-apartments, apartment-hotels and student housing in Paris, Munich, Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan and Madrid.

“In Asia, Japanese pension plans have announced interest in expanding investment in real estate from less than 1 percent of an estimated 356 trillion ($3.09 trillion) combined total assets should create opportunity, the report indicated. Pension fund officials are first expected to invest in real estate in Japan and then move into core markets, sectors and properties outside the country. If Japanese pension plans increase their allocations by 2 percentage points, it would increase institutionally held real estate in Japan by 25%, the paper states.

“If you can keep your head when others are losing it, that is a good investment trait, Mr. Gordon said. Sitting still and doing nothing is the worst thing an investor can do. Then you’re letting the market push you around.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity December 9-16, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Seawind #A108 2/2.5 $519K, Coquina Beach #2A 2/2 $619K, Sunset South #4A 2/2 $799K, Sundial West #E304 2/2 $814.5K, Pointe Santo #E37 3/2 $1.475M.

5 price changes: Coquina Beach #2C 2/2 now $599K, Sanibel Surfside #223 2/2 now $778K, Pointe Santo #B25 2/2 now $789K, Sundial East #T306 3/2 now $1.395M, Somerset #302 3/2.5 now $1.65M.

3 new sales: Sanibel Arms West #J6 2/2 listed at $495K, Cottage Colony West #136 1/1 listed at $624.9K (our listing), Sanddollar #B204 2/2 listed at $895K.

3 closed sales: Sundial West #I207 1/1 $299K, Mariner Pointe #522 2/2 $425K (our listing & sale), Loggerhead Cay #211 2/2 $575K.

HOMES

8 new listings: 5297 Punta Caloosa Ct 2/3 $699K, 4694 Rue Bayou 3/3 $739K, 1334 Junonia St 3/2 $749K, 1943 Sanibel Bayou Rd 3/3 $839K, 2920 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $979K, 775 Conch Ct 3/3 $1.595M, 1083 Bird Ln 4/3 $3.595M, 4689 Rue Bell Mer 5/6.5 $7.695M.

7 price changes: 998 Fish Crow Rd 3/2 now $699K; 537 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 now $899K (our listing); 1501 Sand Castle Rd 5/3.5 now $899,999; 276 Ferry Landing Dr 3/3 now $924.9K; 732 Windlass Way 4/3.5 now $1.379M; 2939 Wulfert Rd 5/5/3 now $1.795M; 1326 Seaspray Ln 4/4.5 now $1.995M.

2 new sales: 8991 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 listed at $829K, 800 Sand Dollar Dr 3/3.5 listed at $1.695M.

1 closed sale: 1722 Serenity Ln 3/3 $500K.

LOTS

2 new listings: 6095 Dinkins Lake Rd $289,555; 6159 Starling Way $689K.

2 price changes: 2462 Wulfert Rd now $219.5K, 1311 Par View Dr now $289K.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

Nothing to report.

HOMES

No new listings.

3 price changes: 14980 Binder Dr 4/3 now $1,377,956; 16167 Captiva Dr 4/3 now $1.699M; 14860 Mango Ct 5/4 now $2,343,946.

3 new sales: 11536 Andy Rosse Ln 3/3 listed at $1.775M, 11519 Andy Rosse Ln 6/5 listed at $2.225M, 11400 Dickey Ln 4/6.5 listed at $8.995M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 16950 Captiva Dr listed at $2.995M.

No closed sales.

Until next Friday, may your days be sunny & filled with holiday fun!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Woohoo, Real Estate is Moving on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on March 13, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It’s the end of another terrific week on Sanibel, with bright blue skies and summer-like temperatures. The island again is reporting to be at full occupancy, including a few spring breakers here with families. The bike paths and beaches are busy, the Sanibel Thriller continues to draw the dolphin followers, the fishermen are reporting great catches, and waits are the norm at local restaurants. Multiple island day-time and evening events continue keeping everyone busy too.

Most of us in the real estate business are crowing that is this is the busiest winter ever, with many of us working not quite 24/7, but certainly 10-14/7. Be sure to check out the action posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listing Service over the last seven days after a few news items below.

SanibelSusan Realty Sponsors BIG ARTS Photography Scavenger Hunt

Mark your calendars for the BIG ARTS Photography Scavenger Hunt on Tuesday, April 7. SanibelSusan Realty again this year is sponsoring, with the proceeds to benefit BIG ARTS scholarship programs.

This fun-filled event demonstrates what happens when a scavenger hunt meets the digital age. Grab your camera and some teammates to join in the adventure where you will walk, bike, or drive on your quest to photograph your own interpretations of the clues. Creativity is encouraged!

3 p.m. Pick up clues & map at BIG ARTS Center.

5 p.m. Return to BIG ARTS for a gourmet boxed dinner.

6 p.m. Dessert reception & video showcase of the day’s digital photographs, with awards ceremony.

Tickets are $45 for the full event or $8 for the reception only. Teams should have 2-4 members. Tickets available at the BIG ARTS Marks Box Office or for more info call 239-395-0900.

20 Housing Markets That Are Heating Up

Here’s some good news just in time for spring around the country (posted on “Daily Real Estate News” on Monday.)

“Just in time for spring selling season to start, sellers are finally starting to put their homes on the market, upping the selections for buyers, according to the latest analysis from realtor.com®. Higher inventories and buyer demand are expected to boost closings this month, according to realtor.com®. “The biggest macro trend is that we’re finally seeing inventory grow,” says Jonathan Smoke, realtor.com®’s chief economist. “This is a very important trend for many reasons – in particular, because it will help keep prices at a more moderate level down the road.”

“Affordability had become a chief concern recently in the housing market. So what’s changed and why are more sellers putting their homes on the market? Smoke says home owners are being encouraged by the current higher prices. But Smoke says those will level out as supply rises to meet demand.

“According to realtor.com®’s February data, 20 markets are already showing a big upswing based on the ratio of listing views at realtor.com® to the number of listings for-sale. Those 20 markets are:

Waco, Texas
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas
Santa Rosa, Calif.
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo.
Vallejo-Fairfield, Calif.
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, Calif.
Charleston, W.Va.
San Luis Obispo et al, Calif.
Columbus, Ohio
Boulder, Colo.
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Mich.
Hartford-West Hartford et al, Conn.
Manchester-Nashua, N.H.
San Francisco-Oakland et al, Calif.
San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif.
Charleston-North Charleston, S.C.
Toledo, Ohio
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Mass.-N.H.”

BIG ARTS Community Chorus Spring Concerts

SanibelSusan’s March blog would not be complete without a plug for the BIG ARTS Community Chorus Spring Concerts. Most readers know that I stay sane “in season” with the Tuesday nite diversion of chorus rehearsals. Having grown from just a handful of singers in the early 90’s, the chorus is now 80+singers strong. Though we also will be performing the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Red Sox/Minnesota Twins last spring training game on April 1, our spring concert essentially ends the year for us, or at least until October rolls around again.

Tickets went on sale last week and already are going fast for the spring concert which this year again will be performed two nights to fill the demand. Get advance tickets at BIG ARTS Box Office at 900 Dunlop Road. Performances are at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, and Thursday, March 26.

Guaranteed to give you a few smiles and keep you humming for days, this year we are performing a variety of doo-wop tunes, a medley of “Carousel” show song, famous music from Strauss operetta “Die Fledermaus”, and my favorite, a patriotic number called “Song for the Unsung Hero”.

Sanibel Traffic

It seems that every island discussion this week has some mention of the traffic. Rental organizations are hearing complaints from tenants, Realtors® are hearing protests from prospective buyers, restaurants advise patrons are missing their reservation times, and the general public acknowledges that it takes longer and without reliability these days to get from one end of the island to the other.

Some say it is because the island is at 100% capacity. Some say it is because of the “day-trippers”. Others are convinced that though it’s a short-term problem (just a few months out of each year), it is one that has been neglected or not solved.

So, it was with interest that I read the article in the “Island Sun” today advising that the topic came up at Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting. Several members voiced support for a traffic study being conducted by local Metropolitan Planning Organization offering to lend their assistance in the execution of that investigation.

Here’s hoping that the subject does not get pushed to the back burner once island traffic gets back to “normal” after season, because the problem is bound to resurface again next winter when I bet there is even more traffic thanks to the extended bad weather up north this year. The accommodations businesses are reporting that their bookings for 2016 are already “off the charts”.

Sanibel and Captiva “may be enjoying too much of a good thing”, said one report commenter. That may be true, but there certainly are solutions to making the roadways safer and delay-free. It is good news to hear that Sanibel again is pro-active.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity Mar 6-13

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Lighthouse Point #132 2/2 $497K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #4-4 2/2.5 $699K.

5 price changes: Captains Walk #C7 1/1 now $237.9K, Sanibel Arms #E7 1/1 now $369K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #201 2/2 now $459.5K, Signal Inn #18 3/2 now $1.049M, Clam Shell #C 2/2 now $1.175M.

9 new sales: Colonnades #44 1/1 listed for $189.9K, Colonnades #41 1/1 listed for $194.5K, Sundial #I301 1/1 listed for $389K, Gulf Beach #102 2/2 listed for $749K, Kings Crown #216 2/2 listed for $940K, Kings Crown #101 2/2 listed for $1.195M, Lantana #102 4/3.5 listed for $1.495M, Seascape #104 3/3 listed for $2.195M (our sale), Somerset #B101 3/2.5 listed for $2.2M (our listing).

View from Seascape of Sanibel #104

View from Somerset at The Reef #B101

3 closed sales: Cottage Colony West #118 1/1 $600K, Wedgewood #305 3/3.5 $1.25M, West Shore #903 3/3 $1.7M.

HOMES

11 new listings: 1667 Sabal Sands Rd 3/2 $440K, 5089 SanCap Rd 3/2 $489.9 (short sale), 9106 Mockingbird Dr 2/2 $565K, 543 Chert Ct 3/2 $639K, 257 Daniel Dr 3/2 $649K, 1209 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 $789.9K, 2999 Twin Ponds Dr 3/2 $865K, 489 Lake Murex Cir 3/2.5 $975K, 820 Sand Dollar Dr 2/2 $989K, 5773 SanCap Rd 2/2 $1.159M, 1136 Golden Olive Ct 4/4.5 $2.4M.

10 price changes: 838 Rabbit Rd 2/1 now $399K, 4636 Buck Key Rd 2/2 now $429K, 778 Cardium St 3/3 now $479K, 2220 Camino Del Mar 3/3 now $649K, 5424 Shearwater Dr 3/2.5 half-duplex now $849K, 1351 Middle Gulf Dr #1A (Moonshadows) 3/3 now $899K, 4620 Rue Bayou 3/3 now $949K, 1328 Seaspray Ln 4/4 now $949K, 1314 Par View Dr 4/3 now $999.9K, 518 N Yachtsman Dr 3/3 now $1.129M.

10 new sales: 1938 Roseate Ln 3/2 listed for $329K, 868 Rabbit Rd 3/2 listed for $385K, 3716 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed for $459K, 1825 Ardsley Way 3/2 listed for $515K, 401 Lagoon Dr 4/4 listed for $875K, 5880 SanCap Rd 3/2 listed for $889K, 1331 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 listed for $945K, 261 Ferry Landing Dr 2/2 half-duplex listed for $998.5K, 2617 Coconut Dr 3/2.5 listed for $1.35M, 5235 Indian Ct 4/3.5 listed for $1.598M.

7 closed sales: 3001 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 $405K (short sale), 457 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $475K, 1674 Bunting Ln 3/2 $525K, 598 Boulder Dr 3/2 $533K, 8987 Mockingbird Dr 3/2.5 $667K, 1287 Par View Dr 3/2 $865K, 857 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 $925K.

LOTS

No new listings.

4 price changes: 1311 Par View Dr now $259.9K, 5290 Punta Caloosa Ct now $347K, 2494 Blind Pass Ct now $649K, 6217 Starling Way now $1.379M.

2 new sales: 1301 Par View Dr listed for $219,555; 1311 Par View Dr listed for $259.9K.

1 closed sale: 1316 Par View Dr $320K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Captiva Bay Villas #B 3/3.5 now $1,995,555.

2 new sales: Sunset Beach Villas #2337 2/2 listed for $674.9K, Lands End Village #1654 3/3 listed for $1.685M.

1 closed sale: Marina Villas #903 2/2 $60K

HOMES

No new listings.

3 price changes: 11523 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5.5 now $2.695M, 16897 Captiva Dr 5/5.5 now $3.19M, 13550 Palmflower Ln 4/3.5 now $4.995M.

2 new sales: 1 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 listed for $2.395M, 16183 Captiva Dr 4/3.5 listed for $3.985M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

1 new listing: 16297 Captiva Dr $1.75M.

No price changes, new listings, or price changes.

This representation is based, in whole, or in part, on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.

**********************

Until next Friday, happy weekend from SanibelSusan. Though I will likely be showing real estate all weekend, I bet teammate Dave is taking a few photos with his new camera lens. Here’s one he took earlier and shared with us in the office.

Island Events

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

“Ding” Darling Wins America’s Best Restroom

Positive Sea Turtle News

Average Mortgage Rates Edge Up – 30-year at 4.86%

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Oct 19-26, 2018

Until next Friday, remember at SanibelSusan Realty, it’s all about treats – no tricks here! Happy Halloween!

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Florida Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund

2018 Water Resources Development Act

Member of Realtor® Family Makes Movie Premier

Plus a Young Local Talent on Broadway – Liam Hutt

Island Events

Island Real Estate News

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Oct 5-12, 2018

Until next Friday!

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Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Historical Village To Hold Free Admission Day

Floridians’ Outlook Improves – Second Month in a Row

Update on Bailey Tract Closing

Summer/Fall Shell Shows For Travelers

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 25 to June 1, 2018

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Sanibel/Captiva Real Estate

Leaving LIBOR, Say Hello to SOFR

Is A Seller’s Disclosure Required?

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity March 30 – April 6, 2018

Until next Friday, enjoy your week…

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What Will Happen With Home Prices This Year?

Congratulations to Shell Festival Winners

Upcoming Island Events

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity March 2-9, 2018

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SanibelSusan Realty

Upcoming Spring Events

Pickleball Courts Now Open at Sundial

Federal Flood Maps

Resort & 2nd Home Market

Why Can’t Lawyers Give a Straight Answer?

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 31 – April 7, 2017

Enjoy your weekend!

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At SanibelSusan Realty Associates

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Caravan Meeting

Want to Avoid Legal Hassles? Top Lessons From 2016

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity December 30, 2016 – January 6, 2017

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Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Sundial Beach Resort & Spa Has Pickleball Coming

Update on Sanibel Community House

Holiday Happenings

2017 Investing: Turbulent Market, Lots of Opportunity

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity December 9-16, 2016

Until next Friday, may your days be sunny & filled with holiday fun!

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*Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 25 to June 1, 2018***

Resort & 2^nd Home Market